Naomi Osaka has been away from professional tennis for almost over a year, but one missed event over the last 12 months hit her the hardest.
Osaka has performed well at the Australian Open during her career and won the Grand Slam title twice. The former WTA's world number one lifted her first title in Melbourne in 2019 before winning the major competition again just two years later in 2021.
In addition, 2023 was the first time in seven years that the 25-year-old was not able to compete at the Australian Open as she was pregnant with her first child. When reflecting on missing the competition in January, during the 2023 US Open, Osaka said it was a tough moment watching from afar.
"I mean, it's definitely been really interesting. I don't know. The whole process, it felt long and short at the same time."
"Like, when I stepped away kind of, it was Tokyo, that was the last tournament I played. I just remember watching the Australian Open and being very devastated, because I've never missed an Australian Open."
Currently, the four-time Grand Slam winner is on the comeback trail and has stepped up her training regime in recent months following the birth of her child with US rapper Cordae in July 2023.
While Osaka might not return before the end of 2023, she could be in contention to make the 2024 Australian Open in January. Despite stepping up her preparations for a 2024 season return, Osaka did hint that she may not want to play as long as some current WTA players, particularly, the Williams sisters.
"I was just thinking, okay, like, when I was watching, like, Serena and Venus, I was thinking, ah, I probably no way will ever play at their age, but sitting here, I'm like, you know what? I might do that actually."
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