"I really want to win more" - Naomi Osaka confirms post-pregnancy comeback to tennis, sets sights on further Grand Slam success
Naomi Osaka recently disclosed her plans for a post-pregnancy comeback to tennis. She also expressed her continued desire to compete at the highest level and win more Grand Slam titles.
On January 11, three days after withdrawing from the 2023 Australian Open, Osaka broke the news that she was expecting her first child with long-time boyfriend Cordae. The pair have been in a relationship since a chance meeting at an LA Clippers game in 2019.
On March 29, tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg shared an excerpt from Naomi Osaka's interview with WBS in Japan. In the interview, the former World No. 1 confirmed her plans to return to competitive tennis after her pregnancy layoff. While she acknowledged the time off as a necessary respite, she stated that she remains highly driven to add to her four Grand Slam titles.
"I definitely plan to come back...it's kind of like a break a little bit, but also I feel very competitive still, and I really want to win more slams," Osaka said.
Naomi Osaka in a TV interview with WBS in Japan:
"I definitely plan to come back...it's kind of like a break a little bit, but also I feel very competitive still, and I really want to win more slams."
A look at Naomi Osaka's 4 Grand Slam titles
Naomi Osaka won her first Grand Slam title with a dominant triumph over Serena Williams in the 2018 US Open final. She started strong in the final as she broke the American's serve twice to clinch the first set 6-2.
The second set was marred by the controversy surrounding Williams' altercation with chair umpire Carlos Ramos. However, Osaka did not let the situation affect her as she held her nerve to close out the match and win her first US Open title 6-2, 6-4.
She became the first Japanese player ever to win a singles Grand Slam title.
At the 2019 Australian Open, Osaka defeated Petra Kvitova in the final and became the first player since Jennifer Capriati to win their first two Grand Slam titles in consecutive events. Osaka overcame a strong comeback from Kvitova to win her second Major 7-6(2), 5-7, 6-4. With the win, she rose to the World No. 1 ranking as well.
Naomi Osaka's next Grand Slam title came at the 2020 US Open. Despite only competing in four tournaments during the year, the former World No. 1 reached the final with minimal issues where she took on Victoria Azarenka. Osaka lost the first set 1-6, before mounting a thrilling comeback to secure her second US Open title 1-6, 6-3, 6-3.
The 25-year-old's most recent Major title came at the 2021 Australian Open. Osaka enjoyed a dominant run to the finals, dropping only one set along the way. She defeated Serena Williams in the semifinals in straight sets before defeating Jennifer Brady 6-4, 6-3 in the final to win her fourth Grand Slam title.
With the win, Naomi Osaka joined Monica Seles and Roger Federer as the only three players in history to win their first four Grand Slam finals.