Australian Open news: Naomi Osaka announces pregnancy and promises return in 2024

After Naomi Osaka’s withdrawal from the Australian Open puzzled many observers, the former world number one has revealed she is pregnant and is taking a break from tennis.

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - MARCH 28: Naomi Osaka of Japan celebrates after defeating Alison Riske of United States during the Women’s Singles match on Day 8 of the 2022 Miami Open presented by Itaú at Hard Rock Stadium on March 28, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida. Mark Brown/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

Former world number one Naomi Osaka announced overnight that she is pregnant and will be taking a break from tennis until 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 my matches and tell someone, ‘That’s my mom’ haha,” she wrote on Twitter, accompanied by an ultrasound picture of a pregnancy scan.

“2023 will be a year full of lessons for me, and I hope I’ll see you guys at the start of the next one cause I will be back at the Australian Open 2024. Love you all infinitely,” she added.

The 25-year-old Osaka has not played a tennis match since September and her withdrawal from the Australian Open, which starts next week, had puzzled many observers.

Her social media posts in recent months had shown her travelling in Europe with her boyfriend, American rapper Cordae.

The two have been together since 2019.

Osaka had not explained her absence until Thursday, when she posted what she called “a little life update for 2023.”

Can’t wait to get back on the court but here’s a little life update for 2023. pic.twitter.com/GYXRnutU3I

— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) January 11, 2023

Naomi Osaka has announced that she is pregnant and will be taking a break from tennis until 2024. Picture: Getty Images

Osaka’s last tournament appearance was at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo in September, where the home favourite withdrew before her second-round match, complaining of abdominal pain.

The top ranked player in the world in 2019, the Japanese star -- who grew up in the United States -- is now ranked 47th in the world.

Osaka has won four Grand Slam singles titles with triumphs in the Australian Open in 2019 and 2021 and the US Open in 2018 and 2020.

She had been open about her struggles with mental health and depression in the past and took a break from the sport after the French Open in 2021 before returning to compete at the Tokyo Olympics later that year.

With a string of lucrative endorsement deals across the globe, including with several top Japanese brands, she was named the world’s top-earning female athlete for 2022 by Forbes, with reported earnings of $51.1 million.

Naomi Osaka’s withdrawal from the Australian Open had puzzled many observers.

Her commercial success was not reflected on the court last year however as she suffered first-round defeats at both the French and US Opens and withdrew from Wimbledon with an Achilles injury.

Osaka has also been vocal in support of various causes and in 2020 she said she wouldn’t play in her semi-final at the Cincinnati Open in response to the shooting of black man Jacob Blake in Wisconsin. Following her statement the tournament paused for a day.

Osaka’s recent absence from the tour had promoted speculation over her future in the game, but on Thursday she said her break has given her a new perspective on the sport.

“These few months away from the sport have really given me a new love and appreciation for the game I’ve dedicated my life to,” she wrote.

“I realize that life is so short, and I don’t take any moments for granted; every day is a new blessing and adventure.” In recent years it has become increasingly common for women players to resume their careers after giving birth.

Serena Williams, Victoria Azarenka and Kim Clijsters all returned to the court to continue competing after becoming mothers.

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Originally published as Australian Open news: Naomi Osaka announces pregnancy and promises return in 2024