Organizers announced today, Friday, that Japan's Naomi Osaka, a former world number one, will return to tennis tournaments after a 15-month absence by participating in the Brisbane International, which serves as a preparatory event for the Australian Open early next year. The last tournament the four-time Grand Slam champion participated in was the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo in late September 2022, and she gave birth to a daughter named Shai last July. Osaka, who won the Australian Open in 2019 and 2021, stated in a press release, "I’m really happy to be back on the court and competing." She added, "I always love to kick off my season in Brisbane and can’t wait to return. The Brisbane International is a great tournament, and it will set me up for a fantastic comeback this summer."
Osaka, 26, has taken long breaks from the courts since winning the title at Melbourne Park for the second time to take an extended break and prioritize her mental health after missing the 2021 French Open and again after the 2021 US Open. The Brisbane tournament, which is returning to the competition schedule after a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will also feature Andy Murray and another two-time Australian Open champion, Victoria Azarenka. The tournament will be held from December 31 to January 7. British player Murray, who has lost five finals at the Australian Open, remarked, "It’s great to see the Brisbane International returning, and I’m really looking forward to coming back to Queensland this summer." He added, "I have great memories of winning the title in 2012 and 2013, and I would love to lift the trophy again for a third time in Brisbane."
World number ten Holger Rune will also participate in the Brisbane tournament, which will coincide with the United Cup for teams taking place in Perth and Sydney during the same week. The Australian Open will take place at Melbourne Park from January 14 to January 28.
