Monitoring Desk
ISLAMABAD/TOKYO: Former world number one Japanese Naomi Osaka, 25, who withdrew from the Australian Open earlier this week, has announced pregnancy.
She has not played since September.
Osaka said that “2023 will be a year that’ll be full of lessons for me”. She also said that she hopes to return in 2024.
Naomi Osaka announces pregnancy
Four-time grand slam champion Naomi Osaka has announced she is pregnant.
“One thing I am looking forward to for my baby is to watch one of my matches and tell someone, ‘that’s your mom’.
Naomi won the previous of her four Grand Slams at the Australian Open in 2021.
Naomi has spoken of the issues she has faced since the title win.
In May 2021, after a pulling out of the French Open, Naomi revealed she had “suffered long bouts of depression” ever since winning her first title in 2018, the US Open. In September 2021, she took a 5-month break from a sport.
She lost in the third round of the Australian Open on her return, then the first round of the French Open, missed Wimbledon because of wounded and lost in the opening round of the US Open.
Naomi played last at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo in September and was dropped to 47 in the global rankings.
“The previous few years have been interesting, to say the least, but I find that it is the most challenging times in life that may be the most fun,” Osaka said that announcing her pregnancy on social media.
These few months away from a sport have given me a new life or appreciation for the game to which I’ve dedicated my new life.
“I realise life is so short, and I don’t take any moments for granted; every day is a new blessing and adventure.
“I know I have much to look forward to in the tennis future.
Osaka is the latest high-profile tennis player to take a break from tennis because of pregnancy.
