The former coach of Andre Agassi, Brad Gilbert backed Naomi Osaka to return to tennis after childbirth and win majors.
Osaka is away from tennis as she's currently expecting her first child with her boyfriend Cordae. Even before the pregnancy, Osaka was largely away from tennis which caused many to suspect she was not really that interested in the sport anymore.
Gilbert believes that Osaka will return to her best and he's actually looking forward to it. He simply can't see her not using her supreme talent to overwhelm opponents once she gets back to her best level.
We've seen some players come back after having a baby. I think she has the skillset to be able to come back. It's just finding that love and balance for being there. I think if she can find all of that, I think she can easily get back in the top three in the world and win Majors again.
The pregnancy announcement came as a shock to many in the tennis community as she simply didn't seem like somebody who was eager to become a mother. She too struck a surprised tone when she announced it which indicates that it wasn't really planned.
A recent Vogue interview sort of confirmed those assumptions when Osaka admitted that she doesn't think she can prepare to be a mother. She'll just have to learn on the fly, as did many before her.
I’m not really sure I can prepare. know there are things I can buy and classes I can take, but… This is going to be my first, and I’m really excited. Everyone I know that has had a kid, it has changed their life. I don’t think I can prepare for it. I think I’m gonna have to go with the flow.
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