Naomi Osaka Makes Winning Return at Brisbane International
Naomi Osaka's comeback to professional tennis starts with a victory at the Brisbane International.
Osaka's Comeback Victory
Naomi Osaka, a four-time major winner and former world No. 1, made a successful return to professional tennis at the Brisbane International. This was her first win at the elite level since becoming a mother.
However, the victory didn't come easy for Osaka. She was broken while serving for the match at 5-3 in the second set and needed three match points in the tiebreaker to secure a 6-3, 7-6 (9) victory over Tamara Korpatsch.
Osaka, who pulled out of last year's Australian Open due to pregnancy, expressed her nerves and the importance of being a good role model for her daughter during the match. She mentioned that she wants to do her best for her daughter, Shai, and be the same old Osaka she has always been.
Focused on Living in the Moment
The time off and the experience of motherhood have given Osaka a renewed focus on living in the moment. She believes that in the previous years, she didn't return as much love as she was given.
In her post-match interview, Osaka expressed her gratitude for the support and love she receives from her fans. She emphasized the importance of appreciating people and acknowledging the younger fans in the crowd, as she can now relate to them more as a mother.
Osaka's next opponent in the tournament will be Karolina Pliskova, a fellow former world No. 1 and three-time Brisbane International champion.
Key Tune-up Event for Australian Open
The Brisbane International is considered a key tune-up event for the Australian Open, which starts on January 14th in Melbourne. The tournament provides players with an opportunity to fine-tune their skills and prepare for the first major of the year.
In the men's draw, third-seeded Ben Shelton, who reached the US Open semifinals last year, suffered a defeat in the first round. He was beaten by Roman Safiullin, ranked 39th, in a tough three-set match.
Despite persistent rain causing matches on outside courts to be suspended, the main stadium provided a covered venue for the matches to continue.
