Naomi Osaka is eager to motivate her daughter Shai when she returns to the WTA circuit on Sunday at the Brisbane International. The four-time Grand Slam champion, who welcomed a daughter in July of this year, last competed in a WTA competition in September 2022 at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo.
While visiting Brisbane’s Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary on Friday, Osaka stated: “Being a mom has changed my life a lot. I think it changed my perspective on a lot of things. Giving birth was one of the most painful things I’ve ever gone through. It’s made me feel like, physically, I can handle a lot. I want to show Shai that she’s capable of everything, so that’s one of my main purposes and main reasons why I want to be back out here.”
Osaka has won twice in 2019 and 2021 at the Australian Open, which takes place from January 14–28. After participating in Brisbane, she will take part in the first slam of the year.
The Japanese player talked frankly about her chances of winning the title in Brisbane as well. She added: “I’ve given myself the biggest chance to do well, but at the same time, I haven’t had any match play. I’m just embracing the fact that it’s my first tournament in a very long time. I’m just trying to have fun and do well at the same time.”
Naomi Osaka in 2023
Now the world no.661, the Japanese played her last match on the 20th of September 2022 when she had to retire when playing against world no.204 Daria Gavrilova in the 1st round and the scoreline was 1-0 .
At present, during this year the Japanese has achieved a compiled 14-9 match record.