Former world tennis number one Naomi Osaka will make her return to competition at the WTA 500 in Brisbane at the end of December, the tournament organizers announced on Friday. The 26-year-old Japanese has not played since the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo in September 2022, notably facing mental health concerns. She also gave birth to her daughter in July this year.
Summer 2024 objective
The WTA 500 in Brisbane will run from December 31 to January 7. This meeting is widely used by players as preparation for the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam of the season a week later. “I am still enjoying kicking off my season in Brisbane and looking forward to my return,” Naomi Osaka said in a statement. The Brisbane International will put me in condition for a great comeback this summer.” The former number 1 has four Grand Slam titles, two gleaned in Australia (2019, 2021) and two others at the US Open (2018, 2020).
The Japanese felt the need to take a big break from the summer, after long months of fighting against stubborn anxiety. His 2021 season had already been spoiled by these mental concerns, revealed by his decision not to give a press conference at Roland-Garros. She has since taken the time to treat herself, and we have seen her participate in a few round tables on this important subject of the mental health of athletes, for example early September during the US Open.