Brisbane International: The inspiration driving Naomi Osaka’s competitive tennis comeback

She may not be in Brisbane with her but Naomi Osaka has revealed one the main motivations behind her return to tennis after a 15-month lay-off.

She may not be in Brisbane with her but Naomi Osaka’s baby daughter Shai has been revealed as one of the main motivations behind her return to the tennis circuit.

Osaka will make her return to competitive tennis at the Brisbane International after a 15-month lay-off during which she gave birth to her first child - a daughter, Shai - with rapper Cordae, in July.

While the four-time grand slam singles champion has played down her chances of making an immediate impact on return to the circuit, she is out to show her daughter she’s made of stern stuff.

“Being a mum changed my life a lot, I think it changed my perspective on a lot of things,” Osaka said after visiting Brisbane’s Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary on Friday afternoon.

“For sure, I think giving birth was one of the most painful things I’ve ever gone through, so I think it’s definitely made me feel like physically, I can handle a lot more.

“I just want to show Shai that she’s capable of everything, so that’s one of my main purposes and main reasons for why I want to be back out here.”

The tennis court has seemed a lonely place at times for Osaka, who has been frank about her mental health challenges and the anxiety she can feel in the spotlight.

Naomi Osaka returns to competitive tennis after giving birth to her first child.

Despite the rise of a new generation of champions in her absence, Osaka’s star power has not diminished and she will have to develop strategies to cope with scrutiny that is only likely to increase if her comeback is successful.

But as part of a new wave of mothers in the sport - former Australian Open champs Angie Kerber and Caroline Wozniacki will also return to Melbourne Park in 2024 - Osaka is not playing a lone hand.

Her return to competition in Brisbane - 15 months after she last played in Tokyo in 2022 - will answer some questions about her form ahead of the Australian Open, although early signs are good if the way she was striking the ball in practice at Pat Rafter Arena earlier this week is any indication.

“I think I’ve given myself the biggest chance to do well but at the same time I haven’t had any match play,” she said.

“Of course, this is the first tournament of the year (for everyone) as well, so I think I’m just embracing the fact that it’s my first tournament in a very long time and I’m just trying to have fun and do well at the same time.”

Originally published as Brisbane International: The inspiration driving Naomi Osaka’s competitive tennis comeback