Naomi Osaka, a former world No. 1, intends to make a significant comeback at the Australian Open in 2024 and hopes to play a full schedule, at least early in the year. The 25-year-old Osaka and her longtime partner, rapper Cordae, welcomed a baby girl named Shai in July.

Osaka expressed her thoughts about being away from the game: “For me personally, it really raised my love for the sport. It made me realize, like, I’m not going to play forever. I have to embrace the times. I’ve been playing tennis since I was three.”

Osaka has previously been open about her struggles with depression and mental illness and claimed that throughout some points of her pregnancy, she experienced intense loneliness. Osaka said that her family, friends, and support system were crucial in helping her get through those emotions of loneliness.

Osaka further added remarks about her comeback and how it feels: “I was just thinking, okay, like, when I was watching, like, Serena and Venus, I was thinking, ah, I probably no way will ever play at their age, but sitting here, I’m like, you know what? I might do that actually.”