Former world No. 1 tennis player Naomi Osaka is set to make her comeback at the Brisbane International beginning Sunday in Australia, about six months after she gave birth to her daughter Shai.
Still, Osaka is unsure whether she should be considered a title contender, and she just wants to enjoy while playing well, according to an article released Friday on the WTA 500 tournament's official website.
"I haven't played in more than a year," the four-time Grand Slam champion said. "I'm just embracing the fact that it's my first tournament in a very long time. I'm just trying to have fun and do well at the same time."
Osaka last played in September 2022 at the Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo.
The Brisbane International serves as a lead-up event to the Australian Open, which begins Jan. 14.
"Being a mom has changed my life a lot. I think it changed my perspective on a lot of things," Osaka said. "I want to show Shai that she's capable of everything, so that's one of my main purposes and main reasons why I want to be back out here."
