Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka will make her eagerly anticipated return to tennis at the Brisbane International in Australia, organisers said on Friday.
Starting on the last day of December, the Brisbane tournament is a warm-up for the Australian Open Grand Slam starting in mid-January.
The 26-year-old former world number one Osaka gave birth to daughter Shai in July and has not played on tour since September 2022, having also struggled with her mental health and the pressures of tennis.
“I always love starting my season in Brisbane and can’t wait to return,” Japan’s Osaka said.
“The Brisbane International is such a great tournament and will set me up for a brilliant comeback this summer.”
Osaka has won four major titles, triumphing in the 2019 and 2021 Australian Opens, and winning the US Open in 2018 and 2020.
Osaka earlier this year said her break from the sport had “really fuelled a fire in me”.
Osaka will be joined in Brisbane by Grand Slam winners Andy Murray and Victoria Azarenka, as well as Grigor Dimitrov and Holger Rune.
Author
World Cup News
-
Football
/ 3 weeks agoMessi’s 2022 World Cup jerseys predicted to top $10 mln at auction
A set of six jerseys that Lionel Messi wore during Argentina’s victorious 2022 World...
By AFP -
Football
/ 1 month agoSaudi ready for summer or winter World Cup in 2034: FA chief
Saudi Arabia is prepared to host the 2034 World Cup in summer or winter,...
By AFP -
Football
/ 1 month agoUpdate: Saudi Arabia only bidder for 2034 World Cup
Saudi Arabia is in line to host the 2034 World Cup after FIFA announced...
By AFP -
Football
/ 1 month agoRights groups seek guarantees as Saudi closes in on 2034 World Cup
Rights groups called for “binding commitments” from World Cup host nations after Australia opted...
By AFP