Naomi Osaka Manages Expectations Ahead Of Her Comeback Despite Impressive Brisbane Records

Published 12/29/2023, 7:48 AM EST

Naomi Osaka‘s track record on the hard court has been phenomenal. She has won 4 Grand Slam titles so far in her career and all four of them came on the hard courts. Out of those four, two came in the US Open and the other two at the AO. Australia has always been a happy hunting ground for the Japanese superstar. And now she is set to make her comeback yet again at the ‘Land Down Under’ on a hard court event.

The former number one is set to make a comeback at the Brisbane International, which kick-starts on 31 December and will go till 7 January. Naomi Osaka and her partner Cordae (American rapper) welcomed their daughter Shai in Los Angeles in July this year. It won’t be easy for the new mamma to start from where she had left a year ago. But she’s leaving no stones unturned. Expectations from her fans are quite obvious, but what does Osaka think about her chances in Brisbane?

Despite her track record at the ‘Land Down Under’, Naomi Osaka manages expectations about her comeback

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After pulling out of last season’s AO due to pregnancy, Osaka would now look to regain her momentum before the first Grand Slam of the season. And what’s a better stage than at Pat Rafter Arena? Brisbane International serves as a good preparatory camp ahead of the AO. Naomi Osaka has been a 2-time semifinalist of the WTA 500 event. Can she create a history just after her comeback? Here’s what she said when she was asked if she thinks she’s a title contender at Brisbane International.

“That’s a tough question because I haven’t played in more than a year. I don’t know, I think I’ve given myself the biggest chance to do well. But at the same time, I haven’t had any match play. I think I’m just embracing the fact that it’s my first tournament in a very long time. I’m just trying to have fun and do well at the same time,” said Naomi Osaka.

Talking about fun, Osaka was seen recently having fun at the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. She took a selfie with a koala and then even went on to feed the kangaroos. However, she was a bit apprehensive about meeting the emu at the park. And, when it comes to apprehension, Naomi Osaka and Rafael Nadal are showing no signs of stopping while hitting the courts in practice sessions.

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On Wednesday, Osaka was seen practicing hard ahead of her campaign at the 13th edition of Brisbane International. Now, the Spanish icon Rafael Nadal has also landed in Brisbane to make a comeback after a long gap of 1 year. Fans are waiting eagerly to see them back on the court. Moreover, even Nadal’s impatience could be seen reflected in his practice sessions as he wasted no time locating the practice courts in Brisbane.

As per reports, Rafael Nadal and Marc Lopez are to pair up for doubles at the Brisbane International. The duo won a gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics. The 41-year-old former player took retirement in 2022. And, as of now, it looks like he’s set to come out of his retirement.

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With the Paris Olympics knocking at the door, surely this will be a piece of good news in the Spanish camp. Can Rafael Nadal and Naomi Osaka make their marks in Brisbane?

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Written by:

Tennis has been my passion since my childhood. My sheer love and enthusiasm for the racket sport has been a major influence in me wanting to build a career in sports journalism. Additionally, being a die-hard Real Madrid fan makes me more connected to my tennis idol-Rafael Nadal, who himself is a huge Los Blancos fan and a contender to become its next President.

Edited by:

Shudh.mukherjee

Naomi Osaka Manages Expectations Ahead Of Her Comeback Despite Impressive Brisbane Records

Despite her track record at the ‘Land Down Under’, Naomi Osaka manages expectations about her comeback

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