Naomi Osaka of Japan reacts after profitable some extent in her match towards Tamara Korpatsch of Germany throughout the Brisbane Worldwide tennis match in Brisbane, Australia, Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. (AP Picture/Tertius Pickard)
BRISBANE, Australia— Naomi Osaka’s first win on the elite degree since changing into a mom didn’t come simply. It did come on Day 1 of the yr, although. In order that was two objects Osaka checked off the listing Monday for her comeback to skilled tennis.
The previous No. 1-ranked Osaka was damaged whereas serving for the match at 5-3 within the second set and wanted three match factors earlier than changing within the tiebreaker for a 6-3, 7-6 (9) victory over Tamara Korpatsch within the first spherical of the Brisbane Worldwide.
“I used to be tremendous nervous the entire time,” Osaka, 26, mentioned of her comeback match towards the 28-year-old German participant.
A two-time Australian and U.S. Open champion, Osaka pulled out of final yr’s Australian Open in Melbourne earlier than later revealing she was pregnant. The U.S.-based Japanese participant and her associate, rapper Cordae, turned mother and father to daughter Shai in Los Angeles in July.
Osaka had solely performed one recreation since her first-round exit on the 2022 U.S. Open. She was main Daria Gavrilova 1-0 on the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo in September of that yr earlier than the Australian retired from the match with damage.
Osaka mentioned she has a renewed deal with dwelling within the second in relation to her tennis.
“The final couple years that I performed earlier than I had my daughter, I didn’t return as a lot love as I used to be given,” she informed the group at Pat Rafter Area. “So I actually really feel like that’s what I wish to do on this chapter.
“I simply actually recognize folks popping out and other people understanding me and cheering for me.
Reigning Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, Jelena Ostapenko, Victoria Azarenka, Sofia Kenin and Sloane Stephens are additionally within the 64-player ladies’s draw on the Brisbane Worldwide, one of many key tune-up occasions for the Australian Open in Melbourne.
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