Naomi Osaka mentioned motherhood had given her a brand new outlook and the previous world primary hoped to encourage her daughter Shai when she returned to the WTA tour on the Brisbane International that begins on Sunday.
The four-times Grand Slam champion final competed in a WTA event on the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo in late September 2022 and gave beginning to her daughter in July this yr, earlier than saying her highly-anticipated comeback 4 months later.
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“Being a mum has changed my life a lot. I think it changed my perspective on a lot of things,” Osaka mentioned on Friday throughout a go to to Brisbane’s Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary.
“Giving birth was one of the most painful things I’ve ever gone through. It’s definitely 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 begins her ultimate preparations for the Jan. 14-28 Australian Open – which she received in 2019 and 2021 – by competing in a event the place she has reached the semi-finals twice.
The Japanese participant tempered expectations about her title prospects in Brisbane.
“I’ve given myself the biggest chance to do well, but at the same time, I haven’t had any match play,” Osaka mentioned.
“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.”
Source: sportstar.thehindu.com