New mom Naomi Osaka makes winning return to tennis | Brisbane International
IIE Digital Desk: Naomi Osaka made a winning return to tennis on Monday with her first victory at the elite level since becoming a mother in July, but it didn't come easy.
The former No. 1-ranked Osaka was broken while serving for the match at 5-3 in the second set and needed three match points before converting in the tiebreaker for a 6-3, 7-6 (9) victory over Tamara Korpatsch in the first round of the Brisbane International.
A two-time Australian and U.S. Open champion, Osaka pulled out of last yearโs Australian Open in Melbourne before later revealing she was pregnant.
The U.S.-based Japanese player and her partner, rapper Cordae, became parents to daughter Shai in Los Angeles in July.
Osaka had only played one game since her first-round exit at the 2022 U.S. Open.
She was leading Daria Gavrilova 1-0 at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo in September of that year before the Australian retired from the match with injury.
You might also like!
