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Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka has dropped another hint that her preparation for a tennis comeback is underway. Osaka, 25, gave birth last month and she won't be playing any tournaments in 2023. But Osaka's intention is to return at the start of the 2024 season.
"Someone please tell @naomiosaka to hurry back on tour because I miss watching her play so badly," a fan wrote on X. Osaka responded: "Omw (on my way)."
Omw 😖🏃🏽♀️💨🎾💕 https://t.co/tAV7tvV6O6 — NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) August 1, 2023
Osaka targets to play again in January
In January, Osaka announced pregnancy and revealed she would miss the entire 2023 season.
During her time away from pro tennis, Osaka had a chance to take a step back and that helped her realize how much she actually loves tennis. “I’m excited to have the opportunity [to play] again. I’ve been playing tennis since I was three, and I think it’s one of those things where I needed to take a step back to appreciate it more.
I also just really want to see fans again. During COVID, the distance hit me really hard," Osaka told Vogue after giving birth. Osaka, a former world No 1, has stated several times this year that she will be gunning for Grand Slam titles and the world No 1 ranking when she returns to tennis.
Just last week, Rick Macci - the childhood coach of Serena and Venus Williams - tipped Osaka to make a successful return and return to the top-10 by the end of 2024. "@naomiosaka by the end of 2024 will be in the top ten.
She has 4 slams in her back pocket has been number one. Her serve is one of the best and she has the juice on both wings. The wildcard is belief and hunger and I know she believes and is very motivated," Macci wrote on X last week.
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