Naomi Osaka to Return to Tennis at Brisbane International After Maternity Break

Osaka's return to the court comes after a 15-month hiatus, during which she gave birth to her first child and prioritized her mental health.

Naomi Osaka, former world number one and four-time Grand Slam winner, is set to return to tennis at the Brisbane International, almost six months after giving birth to her first child.
Osaka's last appearance on the WTA Tour was at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo in September 2022. She took a break from the sport to prioritize her mental health and to give birth to her daughter, Shai, in July 2023.
The Brisbane International, which begins on December 31 and runs through to January 7, serves as a major event in the run-up to the Australian Open, which starts on January 14. Osaka has won the Australian Open twice, in 2019 and 2021.
Osaka has expressed her excitement about returning to the court and competing again. She has previously taken breaks from tennis to prioritize her mental health and has spoken openly about the issues she has faced.
The Brisbane International is also set to feature other tennis stars such as Great Britain's Andy Murray and Victoria Azarenka. The tournament is returning after a three-year hiatus forced by the Covid-19 pandemic.