Naomi Osaka of Japan the Brisbane Worldwide tennis event in Brisbane, Australia on Jan. 1, 2024.
| Photograph Credit score: AP
Naomi Osaka’s first win on the elite stage since turning into a mom didn’t come simply. It did come on Day 1 of the 12 months, although. In order that was two gadgets Osaka checked off the checklist on January 1 for her comeback to skilled tennis.
The previous No. 1-ranked Osaka was damaged whereas serving for the match at 5-3 within the second set and wanted three match factors earlier than changing within the tiebreaker for a 6-3, 7-6 (9) victory over Tamara Korpatsch within the first spherical of the Brisbane Worldwide.
“I used to be tremendous nervous the entire time,” Osaka, 26, stated of her comeback match in opposition to the 28-year-old German participant.
A two-time Australian and U.S. Open champion, Osaka pulled out of final 12 months’s Australian Open in Melbourne earlier than later revealing she was pregnant. The U.S.-based Japanese participant and her accomplice, rapper Cordae, turned dad and mom to daughter Shai in Los Angeles in July.
Osaka had solely performed one sport since her first-round exit on the 2022 U.S. Open. She was main Daria Gavrilova 1-0 on the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo in September of that 12 months earlier than the Australian retired from the match with harm.
Osaka stated she has a renewed give attention to residing within the second with regards to her tennis.
“The final couple of years that I performed earlier than I had my daughter, I didn’t return as a lot love as I used to be given,” she instructed the group at Pat Rafter Area. “So I actually really feel like that’s what I wish to do on this chapter.
“I simply actually respect individuals popping out and folks figuring out me and cheering for me.
Reigning Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, Jelena Ostapenko, Victoria Azarenka, Sofia Kenin and Sloane Stephens are additionally within the 64-player ladies’s draw on the Brisbane Worldwide, one of many key tune-up occasions for the Australian Open in Melbourne.
