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Naomi Osaka of Japan looks on during practice at Pat Rafter Arena in Brisbane, Australia, December 27, 2023. /CFP
Former world No. 1 female tennis player, Naomi Osaka of Japan, wants her return to the sport after over a year of absence to be an inspiration to her daughter.
Osaka hasn't played in any match since September 2022. In July, she gave birth to her first child. Four months later, she announced her comeback to tennis at the Brisbane International that will begin on Sunday.
"Being a mum has changed my life a lot. I think it changed my perspective on a lot of things," Osaka said on Friday. "Giving birth was one of the most painful things I've ever gone through. It's definitely made me feel like physically I can handle a lot."
Osaka won four Grand Slam women's singles titles, two at the U.S. Open in 2018 and 2020, two at the Australian Open in 2019 and 2021, before taking the break. At a forum on mental health during the U.S. Open in September, she revealed her issues with depression and anxiety when she withdrew from the French Open in 2021.
Naomi Osaka of Japan works in practice at Pat Rafter Arena in Brisbane, Australia, December 27, 2023. /CFP
"I want to show Shai (her daughter) that she's capable of everything, so that's one of my main purposes and main reasons why I want to be back out here," Osaka said.
Having reached the semifinals twice before at the Brisbane International, Osaka will face Tamara Korpatsch of Germany in the first round. When asked about her title prospects at the tournament, Osaka called it a "tough question."
"I've given myself the biggest chance to do well, but at the same time, I haven't had any match play," she said. "I'm just embracing the fact that it's my first tournament in a very long time. I'm just trying to have fun and do well at the same time."