Naomi Osaka will return to tennis after more than a year away for childbirth with an entry in the season-starting Brisbane ATP-WTA event.
The Japanese player with four Grand Slam titles last completed a match at the US Open in 2022, losing in the first round to Danielle Collins.
She later reveal she was pregnant with her rapper boyfriend and dropped completely from the scene.
But the 27-year-old eventually gave away he career on court due to what she called mental pressure.
Osaka may have had a re-think in the intervening years and will make her comeback attempt at the pre-Australian Open tournament which begins on December 31.
“I am really excited about getting back out on court and competing. I always love starting my season in Brisbane and can’t wait to return,” the 2019 and 2020 semi–finalist said in a statement.
“The Brisbane International is such a great tournament and will set me up for a brilliant comeback this summer.”
Joining Osaka in Queensland will be Andy Murray and two-time Australian open winner Victoria Azarenka.
“It’s great to see the Brisbane International back and I am really looking forward to returning to Queensland this summer,” Murray said.
“I have great memories of winning the title in 2012 and 2013 and I would love to lift the trophy again for a third time in Brisbane.”
