(VIDEO) Practice continues for Osaka in return to tennis as she is spotted with LA Lakers star Rui Hachimura

Naomi Osaka has once again appeared in a training video as she prepares for her return to the WTA Tour in 2024.

The former world No. 1 has been away from the top tier of world tennis for the past two years. After capturing her fourth Grand Slam title at the 2021 Australian Open at the age of 23, Osaka's results took a downturn.

She cited mental health issues as the reason for stepping away from competition following a series of disappointing performances. In 2023, she announced her pregnancy, which kept her off the court.

Following the birth of her first daughter, Shai, in Los Angeles with her boyfriend, rapper Cordae, Osaka has stated her intention to make a comeback in 2024 with the aim of competing at the highest level. She is eager to contend once again for major titles and privileged spots at WTA ranking.

The Japanese tennis star shared a practice video featuring Hachimura, a power forward who, like her, was born in Japan in the mid-90s.

Hachimura previously played for the Washington Wizards in 2019 and is currently a member of the Los Angeles Lakers. The training video indicates Osaka's determination to get back into competitive form and make her mark in the upcoming tennis season.

“lil bro really thought he had it,” 4-time Grand Slam champion wrote.

NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ

@naomiosaka

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lil bro really thought he had it 😖😂

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Osaka reached the world No. 1 ranking in 2019 at the age of 21 after winning the Australian Open, breaking Simona Halep's dominance that had lasted throughout much of 2019.

She held the top spot for 21 weeks before Ashleigh Barty took over, and while Osaka reclaimed the world No. 1 ranking for four weeks, Barty's reign extended to 121 weeks until her retirement, at which point Iga Swiatek claimed the top position after her 'Sunshine Double' victories in 2022.

At 25 years old, Osaka is still young enough to return to her best form. In her career, she has accumulated four Grand Slam titles, including victories at the Australian Open in 2019 and 2021, as well as the US Open in 2018 and 2020.

Additionally, she has secured two WTA 1000 titles, winning the Indian Wells in 2018 and the Beijing Open in 2019. Notably, she also clinched victory at her hometown event, the WTA 500 Osaka Open.

El Gráfico

@elgraficoweb

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🎾Naomi Osaka🇯🇵 se consagró en el #AusOpen tras vencer en la final a Jennifer Brady🇺🇸, por 6-4 y 6-3. 📌Es el cuarto título de Grand Slam🏆 para la japonesa y su segunda conquista en Melbourne🇦🇺. 🥇La N° 3 del mundo alzó el séptimo trofeo de su carrera.

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