In an interview with ESPN on Wednesday, former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka, who is 25 years old, revealed her intention to make a comeback to professional tennis in 2024. This announcement comes after she gave birth to a baby girl in July with her boyfriend, rapper Cordae. Osaka plans to have a busier schedule next year, participating in more tournaments than before.
She explained that this decision was driven by her uncertainty about how the beginning of the year will unfold for her and her desire to ease back into the game. Osaka believes that this approach will set her up for a strong finish to the year.
Osaka, who hasn't played since the Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo in September 2022, had previously mentioned her intention to return for the 2024 Australian Open, an event she has won twice in the past.
When asked if her break from tennis made her miss the sport, Osaka responded affirmatively, expressing her longing to be back on the court. She credited her daughter for igniting her passion for tennis again while emphasizing her gratitude for her family.
During her hiatus from competitive tennis, Osaka openly discussed her mental health struggles, particularly following a challenging incident in 2021 during the Roland Garros news conference, which led to her withdrawal from the French Open that year. She disclosed her battles with depression since her first major championship win in 2018.
Osaka recently attended the US Open in New York and participated in a mental health forum at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, alongside figures like Michael Phelps and Dr. Vivek Murthy. She expressed her continuous learning and advocacy for mental health awareness, highlighting the need to destigmatize mental health issues.
Additionally, Osaka reflected on her earlier comments about feeling "lonely" during her pregnancy, attributing this sentiment to her deep connection with the tennis world and the challenges posed by the restrictions and changes in her routine during that time.