“I’m excited to have the opportunity (to play) again” – Naomi Osaka in first post-childbirth interview

The 25-year-old admitted that she felt FOMO while watching her peers and rivals compete for the major events in her absence

Image Credit: Zuma / Panoramic

Haresh Ramchandani

July 17, 2023

Four-time Grand Slam winner and former world No 1 Naomi Osaka says she is looking forward to returning to the tour and that she had a hard time following the sport when she was sitting out due to her pregnancy.

Osaka gave birth to her first child, a daughter, with partner Cordae a few weeks ago. The 25-year-old has not played on the tour since September 2022 but said earlier in the year that she would return in early 2024.

“I’m excited to have the opportunity (to play) again,” Osaka said to Vogue in her first interview since giving birth. “I’ve been playing tennis since I was three, and I think it’s one of those things where I needed to take a step back to appreciate it more. I also just really want to see fans again. During COVID, the distance hit me really hard.”

It was kind of hard to cope with those feelings of wanting to be there really badly.
Naomi Oskaka on missing the Australian Open

The Japanese player also admitted that she felt FOMO while watching her peers and rivals compete for the major events in her absence.

Naomi Osaka Australian Open 2021 — Naomi Osaka / Panoramic

“I remember following the Australian Open a little bit earlier this year, and it made me upset because I’ve never missed an Australian Open,” the two-time Aussie Open winner said. “It was kind of hard to cope with those feelings of wanting to be there really badly. I wouldn’t trade this for the world, but it was just hard to watch everyone competing over there (while I was) sitting out.”

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