Naomi Osaka reveals comeback plan, intends to play Australian Open 2024

Naomi Osaka is all set to return to the 2024 Australian Open. The Japanese tennis player withdrew from the tournament this year due to her pregnancy. She hasn't competed in any of the events on the women's tour since her second-round exit in September at the 2022 Tokyo Open.

The former World No. 1 revealed that she's optimistic about the future and plans to return with a confident mindset at the Australian Open next year.

"I'm definitely going to perform well and be a better player than I have been last year. For me, my results just made me want to try harder and be the best that I can be. I’ll be competing in Australia next year," Naomi Osaka said in an interview with a Japanese sports journalist.

The 25-year-old is already a two-time champion at the Australian Open, winning titles in 2018 and 2021.

Her most recent eye-catching performance came at the 2022 Miami Open, where she secured a runner-up finish. Osaka outclassed the likes of Danielle Collins and Belinda Bencic en route to the final but couldn't fend off World No. 1 Iga Swiatek to lift the title.

Upon hearing of her propitious plans to get back in the mix post her pregnancy, the interviewer was a bit surprised that Naomi Osaka had planned to return so quickly. But the Beverly Hills resident explained that she would still have about six months of rest before joining the women's tour next.

"The baby is due in June or July, so I have August, September, October, November and December. I have almost six months," Osaka said.

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"A new adventure"- Naomi Osaka on preparing for motherhood

Osaka Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic

Naomi Osaka is looking forward to the challenges that a woman has to face while embracing motherhood.

The 25-year-old mentioned not being completely prepared for the journey that awaits in the future but is glad that she has trustworthy people around her who can always help when required.

"I think what I'm looking forward to most is the challenges and just learning. I think there's going to be a lot of things that I don't know, but I have a lot of really amazing people close to me that I can ask questions about. Just a new adventure," Naomi Osaka said.

The Japanese tennis player cheekily also revealed that she is aware of the gender of her baby, but her partner, popular American rapper Cordae, is not.

"I've been preparing, but he doesn't know the gender yet, only I know. So it's not like I can build out the room or anything. So I don't know, [I'm] just kind of winging it. That's kind of the key motto in my life a little," Osaka said," she concluded.