[ad_1]
Naomi Osaka said in an interview with ESPN that she plans to return to professional tennis next year.
More than a month after giving birth Shai girlOsaka, 25, told the sports outlet on Wednesday that she was aiming for a busy schedule in 2024.
“It’s definitely way more tournaments than I used to play,” said Osaka, who hasn’t played since withdrawing from the Tokyo Open last year. “So I think some people will be happy with that.”
TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images
During her pregnancy announcement earlier this year, the tennis star said she would be competing at the Australian Open in 2024. She confirmed she would be back for that tournament and said the increased number of tournaments was intended to “facilitate” the game of professional tennis.
“I think it’s because I’ve realized that I don’t know how my start to the year is going to be… So at least I’m going to set myself up for a really good end to the year,” she said. added.
As the US Open enters its final week, Osaka also said she misses the sport.
“I’ve watched games and I’m like, ‘I wish I had played too,'” she told ESPN. “But I’m in this position now and I’m very grateful. I really love my daughter, but I think it really ignited a fire in me.”
Osaka made his comments upon his return to the US Open for a panel on mental healtha subject she has openly discussed in the past as part of its own struggles.
“Every person is unique in this world and that’s something that nobody can take away from them, and you… I don’t mean to be corny, but you just have to appreciate that and know that you’re special, and I don’t think not that people say it enough,” Osaka said during the panel.
Olympic superstar Michael Phelps and surgeon general Dr. Vivek Murthy were also part of the forum.
Osaka has won four Grand Slam titles in her young career. At one point, she was ranked the No. 1 tennis player in the world. In recent years, she has also dealt with injuries and opened up about her mental health issues as part of her decision to withdraw from Roland-Garros 2021.
Christopher Brito
[ad_2]
USA News Gb1