Naomi Osaka officially touches down at Brisbane International as comeback begins with Australian Open warm-up
WTAFriday, 29 December 2023 at 02:24
Naomi Osaka
has arrived in Australia for her comeback to the WTA Tour in 2024.
After being
away for 14 months due to her pregnancy and the birth of her daughter Shai, the
former world No. 1 will make her debut at the WTA 500 Brisbane International,
scheduled between December 31 and January 7. This tournament will serve as
preparation for the Australian Open, a tournament she won in 2019 and 2021. The
main draw of the Brisbane International will feature six players from the
top-20, led by world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka and world No. 4 Elena Rybakina.
The 4-times
Grand Slam champion shared a Christmas greeting with her fans on social media,
accompanied by a photo of the central court at the Brisbane International.
Osaka received a wild card for her participation in the main draw. She
captioned the photo with, "Merry Christmas.
Osaka’s comeback after maternity
The
26-year-old tennis player recently spoke in an interview with the WTA, sharing
her perspective on returning to tennis after becoming a mother: “I've stepped
away from tennis before. But this time, it was the longest duration of my life.
And I think it kind of gave me a perspective like, Hey, you're not going to
play tennis forever."
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"And
you kind of have to cherish the years that you can play. I do want to be a good
role model for Shai, and I want her to see that this was an important chapter
in my life,” Naomi Osaka said.
"I've
never been a person that's really good at playing for myself, if that makes
sense. So I kind of like the feeling of having the responsibility of having to
take care of Shai and wanting to show her around the world. I kind of feel more
like I'm playing for her [Shai]," Osaka added..
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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