Motherhood had given Naomi Osaka a new outlook and the former world No. 1 hoped to inspire her daughter Shai when she returned to the WTA tour at the Brisbane International starting on Monday.
The four-time grand slam champion last competed in a WTA tournament in September last year and gave birth to her daughter in July this year, before announcing her comeback four months later.
“Being a mum has changed my life a lot. I think it changed my perspective on a lot of things,” Osaka said on Friday during a visit to Brisbane’s Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary.
“Giving birth was one of the most painful things I’ve ever gone through. It’s definitely made me feel like physically I can handle a lot. I want to show Shai that she’s capable of everything, so that’s one of my main reasons why I want to be back out here.”
Osaka begins her final preparations for next month’s Australian Open — which she won in 2019 and 2021 — by competing in a tournament where she has reached the semi-finals twice.
She, however, tempered expectations about her title prospects in Brisbane. “I’ve given myself the biggest chance to do well, but at the same time, I haven’t had
any match play,” the 26-year-old said.
Rafael Nadal signs autographs for some junior tennis players in Brisbane on Friday, during an interaction programme ahead of the warm-up event to the Australian Open. Getty Images
Also returning at the warm-up to the Australian major, beginning January 14, and not putting a lot of pressure on himself is 22-time grand slam champion Rafael Nadal.
On Friday, thousands queued for a glimpse of the 37-year-old Spaniard at a fan appearance when he was keen to play down the prospect of a title in the Queensland state capital — or a third crown at Melbourne Park.
“It’s impossible to think about winning tournaments today,” he said.
“What’s really possible is to enjoy the comeback. I don’t expect much — one year without being on the court.”
The current world No. 672 did say though he feels “much better than what I expected a month ago”.
“I can’t have super long-term goals because I don’t see myself playing a super long time,” he said on Friday. “I don’t know how things are going to keep going. I’m not a player who tries to predict what can happen in the short term, and it’s even tougher in the medium period of time.”