"Oh she's coming": Naomi Osaka produces perfect serve hitting tennis ball can in first look at returning former World No.1
WTA
Naomi Osaka has officially touched down at the Brisbane International ahead of her return to tennis to begin 2024 and has already shown in training footage that the game of the World No.1 is very much still in full evidence.
Osaka has only been out really for 2023 announcing her pregnancy days before the Australian Open this year. But always set her sights on a quick return to the court and barring any last minute withdrawals will achieve her goal. Alongside Angelique Kerber, she is the main returnee from becoming a mother, with Emma Raducanu also coming back in an interesting period for women's tennis incoming.
But as well as her Yonex mini racquet also gifted to Kerber as a present for Shai, she has also brought a videographer out with her to Australia to capture her footage.
Showcasing two angles, the superb serve of the Japanese ace was on full effect as she smashed over a tennis can with two set out on the court as a training drill.
It will also be familiar surroundings for Osaka, with her old coach Wim Fissette also set to return to her camp this season. He breached his contract early with Qinwen Zheng in order to return to Osaka and will hope for similar Grand Slam success when she returns with many believing that she can return to her best fairly quickly after becoming a mother.
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.
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