Cant wait to get back on the court but heres a little life update for 2023. pic.twitter.com/GYXRnutU3I
— NaomiOsaka大å (@naomiosaka) January 11, 2023
Last week, Osaka had withdrawn from the Australian Open but no specific reason was given at the time. In her tweet, she said:
ā2023 will be a year thatāll be full for lessons for me,ā said Osaka. She also added that she hopes to be back in form by 2024.
āOne thing I am looking forward to is for my kid to watch one of my matches and tell someone, āthatās my momā.ā
The last time Osaka won a Grand Slam was at the 2021 Australian Open. She has since been outspoken about the issues shes faced since the win.
This includes her pulling out of the French Open in 2021 and later revealing that she had been suffering from long bouts of depression.
She then proceeded to take a five-month break from playing tennis.
For 2022, she only made it to the third round of the Aussie Open, had a first-round exit during the French Open, and missed out on Wimbledon. She also exited in the first round of the US Open.
Her last professional match was in the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo last September. She has since dropped in the rankings and now sits at No.47.
āThe past few years have been interesting, to say the least, but I find that it is the most challenging times in life that may be the most fun,ā added Osaka, announcing her pregnancy on social media.
āThese few months away from the sport have really given me a new love and appreciation for the game Iāve dedicated my life to.
āI realize that life is so short and I donāt take any moments for granted, every day is a new blessing and adventure.
āI know I have so much to look forward to in the future.ā