Naomi Osaka announces pregnancy and plans to return to tennis
Naomi Osaka, who is expecting, says she might play tennis again.
On social media on Wednesday afternoon, Osaka posted the information, a picture of a sonogram, and messages in both Japanese and English.
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Osaka wrote, “I know I have so much to look forward to in the future, but one thing I’m looking forward to is for my kid to watch one of my matches and say, “That’s my mom,” haha.
After defeating Serena Williams, one of the most important players on the court, in the U.S. Open Final in 2018, the 25-year-old tennis pro gained notoriety.
After winning the Australian Open in 2019, the U.S. Open in 2020, and the Australian Open in 2021, Osaka quickly established herself as one of only a select few athletes to have ever won their first four Grand Slam competitions.
However, after withdrawing from the 2021 French Open, the highest-paid female athlete in the world publicly discussed her struggles with mental health.
Officials threatened to expel her from the tournament and fined her $15,000 after she declared she would not participate in required media appearances.
And Osaka said she would stop playing tennis permanently after her loss at the 2021 U.S. Open.
Many athletes applauded Osaka in the media for being so honest about her mental health issues.
In a press conference, Osaka admitted to newsmen, “I honestly don’t know when I’m going to play my next tennis match.” “I believe I will take a short break from playing.”
The declaration on Wednesday also follows Osaka’s declaration that she would not participate in the 2023 Australian Open.
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She did, however, confirm in the social media post that she is anticipated to participate in the Australian Open in 2024.
Osaka will be playing for the first time since withdrawing from the Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo in September of last year due to illness.
Naomi thought back on her time away from the sport as well. Osaka made the announcement that she would open her own sports agency in May. A children’s book by Osaka was also published last month.
The Sportswoman wrote on Wednesday that the past few years had been “interesting, to put it mildly, but I find that it’s the most difficult times in life that may be the most fun,” adding that the lengthy break had brought about “a new love and appreciation for the game I’ve dedicated my life to.”
Since the beginning of 2019, Osaka has been dating Grammy-nominated rapper Cordae.
In a 2021 spread for GQ, the two talked about their long-term relationship and how they first met at a LA Clippers game.
Regarding the encouragement he provided her while she was under quarantine for the 2020 U.S. Open, Osaka told the magazine, “I feel like he actually really helped me win just, like, keeping up the motivation.”
“I don’t think there’s a perfectly correct path to take in life, but I always felt that if you move forward with good intentions you’ll find your way eventually,” Osaka said in her note’s conclusion on Wednesday.
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