The grand slam season is set to start in two months as the 2023 season is coming to an end. The 2024 season will start with the arrival of a few players who could not be part of the show this year. The Australian Open has already announced the players who will make a comeback on the tour at Melbourne Park. Naomi Osaka will finally return back to the tour in January.
Australian Open director Craig Tiley had announced that Osaka will be present in the event. The Japanese player has not played a match since September last year. Osaka gave birth to her baby girl, “Shai,” in July this year and has been gradually embracing parenthood. Osaka posted a video on Instagram that showed her back on the court. Fans were excited to see her rallying on the court.
One fan commented, “well ladies it was a nice run! queen back,” after watching Osaka play. The former world No.1 has a huge fanbase around the world. They have been waiting for a long time to watch Osaka play a match on tour. The Australian Open and the US Open have been the grand slams where she has been consistently performing well.
Naomi Osaka has carefully planned her return to tour
Osaka first played a grand slam in 2016 at the Australian Open. She came through the qualifiers and reached the third round while defeating Elina Svitolina in the second round. The four-time grand slam champion has 24 victories at Melbourne Park, which has been her most successful major. That being said, she has lost five matches in the event from 2016-2022.
Osaka will make her eighth appearance at the Australian Open, which is the most for her in all the slams. She won the title in 2019 and 2021. Osaka only dropped a single set on her way to the title two years ago. The 25-year-old did not play any matches this season. As a result, Osaka did not feature in a single grand slam match in the season for the first time in her career.
Hits like a 2x AO champion on the comeback trail đź’Ş đź‘‘ @naomiosaka pic.twitter.com/73PkfgKc6Q
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) October 10, 2023
Osaka had mentioned wanting a hectic schedule once she stepped foot on the tour. The two-time US Open champion has not confirmed if she will play matches before the Australian Open. For now, Osaka is practicing to bring her fitness again and make sure she is ready to face the latest champions.
