Andre Agassi's former coach Brad Gilbert backs Naomi Osaka to win Majors after childbirth, says she has the necessary "skillset" to stage comeback
Andre Agassi's former coach Brad Gilbert backed Naomi Osaka to return to her best after she comes back to the sport post-childbirth.
Osaka is currently absent from tour as she is expecting her first child with her boyfriend Cordae. During the pregnancy announcement, the Japanese stated that she would miss the entirety of the 2023 season but would be back in 2024.
"I know that I have so much to look forward to in the future, one thing I'm looking forward to is for my kid to watch one of my matches and tell someone, 'that's my mom,'ahaha. 2023 will be a year that'll be full of lessons for me and I hope I'll see you guys in the start of the next one cause I'll be at Aus 2024," Osaka wrote on Instagram.
While speaking on The Craig Shapiro Tennis Podcast, Brad Gilbert spoke about Naomi Osaka and said that the 25-year-old has the necessary skillset to stage a successful comeback to the WTA Tour following the birth of her child.
He further added that the Japanese could even win Grand Slams again if she finds the love and balance for being on court.
"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," Gilbert said.
"I'm not really sure I can prepare"- Naomi Osaka on motherhood
Naomi Osaka was recently asked how she was preparing for motherhood in an article with Vogue. The Japanese admitted that while she couldn't really prepare, she was excited about becoming a mother nonetheless.
“I’m not really sure I can prepare,” Osaka answered. “I 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.”
Osaka's last appearance on the WTA Tour was at the Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo, where she reached the second round before retiring due to an abdominal injury. The former World No. 1 is currently 65th in the WTA rankings, but is bound to suffer a huge drop later this month as she will be unable to defend the points she earned last season by reaching the final at the Miami Open.