The 26-year-old tennis player, Naomi Osaka, hasn’t participated in the WTA Tour since the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo in September 2022.
Expressing her enthusiasm, Osaka stated, “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 Brisbane International is such a great tournament and will set me up for a brilliant comeback this summer.”
The Brisbane tournament is scheduled from December 31 to January 7, serving as a significant event leading up to the Australian Open, which commences on January 14.
Osaka’s most recent Grand Slam victory was at the Australian Open in 2021, marking her second title at Melbourne Park. After withdrawing from the French Open in May 2021, she revealed battling “long bouts of depression” since winning her first major title at the US Open in 2018. Osaka has been vocal about prioritizing mental health and has taken breaks from tennis in the past.
Additionally, organizers of the Brisbane International announced the participation of Great Britain’s Andy Murray, as the tournament returns after a three-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Murray expressed his excitement, saying, “It’s great to see the Brisbane International back, and I am really looking forward to returning to Queensland this summer. 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.”
