The 26-year-old Japanese tennis icon, Naomi Osaka eyes for a comeback at the Brisbane International later this year. The 4 time Grand Slam winner has been out of action since the birth of her first child. She hasn’t played on the WTA Tour since the Pan Pacific Open which was held in Tokyo in September last year. Can she make a comeback? Well, the former number one American tennis player- Andy Roddick has a say on the first Asian to hold the top spot in singles rankings. Let’s find out.
The Brisbane tournament is scheduled to take place from December 31 to January 7. This tournament serves as the warmup before the mega event of the Australian Open which kicks start from January 14. After the sudden withdrawal from the AO 2023, she would surely like to repeat the heroics of 2021, when she won her last major tournament.
Andy Roddick makes a concerning ‘promise’ on Naomi Osaka
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The 41-year-old legend of American tennis recently partnered with the 28-year-old Australian player, Nick Kyrgios at ‘TC Live Podcast’. Both of them shared their views on the possible comeback of the former number 1 in women’s singles – Naomi Osaka. Kyrgios said that Osaka looked in good form and shape since the last time we saw her during the birth of her first child. He says she looks fantastic and she is very special to the tournament. Kyrgios then went on to add that Naomi Osaka has plenty of Slams left in her and he can’t wait to see her in action.
Adding to Kyrgios’ comments, Andy Roddick said, “We hope she gets back there. I’m just impressed by what Nick said, the timeline with which she has seemingly gotten back into shape. Its focus. She’s talked about that she’s still hungry and still wants it. Listen, the best case scenario for her is to get off that first or second round of Brisbane. She gets a couple matches under her belt in Brisbane and nobody wants to see her as a floater in that draw. I promise you that.”
Naomi Osaka was born in Japan and then she moved to the US with her parents when she was 3 years old, She has had a stellar career so far in upbringing not only in Japan but other parts of Asia on the map of the tennis world. Now, everyone is eager to see the new momma smashing aces on the court.
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Amid her comeback, Naomi Osaka pays tribute to her heritage
Naomi Osaka recently launched the latest collection of Nike paying tribute to her dual heritage. Although born in Japan, Osaka spent most of her childhood in New York. She now rolls out a unique bomber jacket that pays tribute to both the places that are closest to her heart.
Now, with a comeback knocking at the door, she’ll wholeheartedly look forward to not only participating but making a statement at the bigger stages of the game yet again. A statement from the zenith of the women’s singles ranking won’t be a bad idea for the Japanese, right?
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