Japan’s tennis star Naomi Osaka will make her comeback at the tournament in Brisbane, Australia, after a 15-month break to have a baby. The organizers announced the start of the former world number one. The preparatory tournament for the Australian Open is scheduled from December 31 to January 7.
“I’m really looking forward to getting back on the court and competing. I always love starting my season in Brisbane and can’t wait to get back,” Osaka was quoted as saying in the organizer’s announcement. She is expecting “a brilliant comeback”.
The 26-year-old shared the organizer’s message on her Instagram account with 2.7 million followers and wrote that she was “super excited”. The four-time Grand Slam tournament winner will play her first major tournament a little later at the Australian Open in Melbourne from January 14 to 28.
Osaka reported in July that she had become a mother. She has not played a match on the professional tour since September 2022. Two years ago, she had reported depression and anxiety and later took an extended break to protect her mental health.
