“I definitely want to win more Grand Slams” – Osaka excited and nervous ahead of comeback

Naomi Osaka has spoken about her feelings ahead of her return to the court in Brisbane

(Zuma/Panoramic)

December 8, 2023

Naomi Osaka is set to return to tennis following a spell of maternity leave in which she gave birth to her daughter – and she has told Japanese news outlet NHK that she has big ambitions for the future.

“In the first chapter of my tennis, I got away with just being myself and playing with my instincts,” she said. “I think I want to be someone who understands the game a lot more, definitely want to win more Grand Slams, and put in more time in French Open and Wimbledon, and play Paris Olympics.”

The 26-year-old is one of the nine Grand Slam champions named in the entry list for the Brisbane International, and she added that she had a lot of emotions around her tour comeback.

Osaka: I’m playing for my daughter

She also described some of the physical challenges that came with pregnancy: “I actually gained a lot of weight because I had to constantly eat something so I didn’t feel sick. The doctors tell you to walk a lot, so I walked a lot. I did a lot of stairs.”

However, now she will be travelling with daughter Shai, which gives her even more motivation.

“I’ve never been a person that’s really good for playing for myself, if that makes sense. I kind of like the responsibility of the feeling of having to take care of Shai and wanting to show her around the world. I feel more like I’m playing for her.”