Tennis star Naomi Osaka has returned to the tennis tour with success after a long break. She had played her last game to date in 2022.
At the WTA tournament in Brisbane, Australia, the four-time winner hit Grand Slam-Winner from Japan on Monday (01/01/2024) in the first round Tamara Korpatsch (Hamburg) 6:3, 7:6 (11:9). “I was super nervous, but I was also excited to be out there”said 26 year old Osaka: “I think it’s better to have tougher matches early on because it trains me for what’s to come.”
Osaka gave birth to her daughter in July 2023. Her daughter has helped her in the past few months, “grow up”said Osaka, who temporarily turned away from tennis in September 2022 due to mental health problems and announced her pregnancy a few months later: “Off the pitch, I now notice people much more consciously and appreciate them much more, even my opponents.”
One of the preparatory tournaments is currently underway in Brisbane, Australia Grand Slam of the year, starting in just over two weeks Australian Open. Korpatsch was the only German starter.