Former world No. 1 and new mother, Naomi Osaka, returned to the practice court on Wednesday ahead of the Brisbane International, marking her most awaited comeback to professional tennis. The tournament is set to kick off this Sunday at Pat Rafter Arena.
Osaka, a two-time champion at both the Australian and U.S. Opens, withdrew from last year’s Australian Open in Melbourne after revealing her pregnancy. The U.S.-based Japanese player and her American rapper boyfriend, Cordae, celebrated the arrival of their daughter, Shai, in Los Angeles in July.
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Having played only one game since the 2021 U.S. Open in New York, where she led Daria Gavrilova 1-0 at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo in September 2021 before the match was cut short due to Gavrilova’s serious knee injury, Osaka is now gearing up for her official return to the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) circuit in Brisbane.
Tournament director Cameron Pearson shared, “She’s pumped, excited to be back in Brisbane. She arrived Christmas morning and was out practicing a few hours later. No Christmas pudding for her, she was straight into it.“
In addition to Osaka, the Brisbane International will feature other notable players, including Rafael Nadal, who is set to make his comeback from injury in the strong 32-man ATP field. Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini and 2020 U.S. Open champion Dominic Thiem will have to qualify for their spots in the tournament, showcasing the high level of competition.
Thiem, a finalist in the 2020 Australian Open, and Berrettini, a semifinalist two years later, are currently ranked outside the top-60 cutoff mark for automatic entry into the season-opening event. Holger Rune ranked No. 8, holds the highest position among male participants. American Ben Shelton and three-time Grand Slam singles champion Andy Murray are also among the entrants.
The women’s draw, featuring 54 players, boasts reigning Australian Open champions Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, Jelena Ostapenko, Victoria Azarenka, Sofia Kenin, and Sloane Stephens.
