Naomi Osaka to make eagerly awaited comeback in Brisbane

SYDNEY – Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka will make her eagerly anticipated return to tennis at the Brisbane International in Australia, organizers 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 No. 1 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 fueled a fire in me".

She will be joined in Brisbane by Grand Slam winners Andy Murray and Victoria Azarenka, as well as Grigor Dimitrov and Holger Rune.