New mother Naomi Osaka to make tennis return in Brisbane

BRISBANE, Australia — Four-time Grand Slam singles champion Naomi Osaka will make her return to tennis at the international preseason tournament in Brisbane ahead of the Australian Open.

Tournament officials confirmed Friday that Osaka will participate in the tournament from Dec. 31 to Jan. 31. 7 event to start its 2024 season.

A two-time winner of the Australian Open and US Open, Osaka made a surprise withdrawal from last year’s Australian Open before later revealing she was pregnant.

The former tennis No. 1 announced the birth of her daughter Shai in July.

“I’m really excited to get back on the court and compete. I always enjoy starting my season in Brisbane and can’t wait to get back there,” Osaka said in a statement. This will “set me up for a brilliant comeback this summer.”

Osaka was born in Japan and moved to the United States with her parents when she was 3 years old. She has not competed on tour since an event in Tokyo in September 2022, shortly after her first round loss at the US Open.

Australian Open officials announced last month that Osaka would take the field for the first major of the year starting Jan. 14.