Four-time Grand Slam champion made a stupendous comeback to competitive tennis after a gap of 15 months. On Monday, January 1, the 26-year-old defeated Germany’s Tamara Korpatsch 6-3, 7-6 (11-9) in the Round of 16 of the Brisbane International.
Osaka, who was returning to the court after a gap of 15 months, had it pretty easy in the opening set. She was spot on with her first serves, winning all 11 points on them. She also pulled off three aces to put the skids under her German opponent.
Korpatsch looked nervous as she made three double faults in the first set. The second set, however, turned out to be a closely-fought affair. The set went in a tie-breaker where both players were not willing to throw in the towel.
In the end, at 10-9, Osaka churned out a forehand winner down to the line to pull the curtains down on the match at the Pat Rafter Arena.
Osaka will next be up against Karolina Pliskova in the second round match on Tuesday, January 2.
Osaka is one of the returning mothers on the tennis court this season, along with Angelique Kerber and Caroline Wozniacki.
Osaka announced her pregnancy last year in January, after which she became a mother in July along with rapper Cordae.
Before the start of the Brisbane International, Osaka said that she wishes to inspire her daughter Shai by returning to the court.
“Giving birth was one of the most painful things I’ve ever gone through. It’s definitely made me feel like physically I can handle a lot,” Osaka said.
“I want to show Shai that she’s capable of everything, so that’s one of my main purposes and main reasons why I want to be back out here,” she added.
Osaka is also set to make her return to Grand Slams when the Australian Open 2024 gets underway on January 14.
