Former world number one Naomi Osaka marked her return to tennis after an extended hiatus, expressing both pride and nervousness after clinching victory in her first match back at the Brisbane International.
The 26-year-old, who withdrew from tennis in September 2022 citing mental health concerns, defeated Tamara Korpatsch in a hard-fought encounter lasting one hour and 47 minutes.
"I was super nervous, but I was excited to be out there," said Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion. "I think it's better to have harder matches early because it will train me for what's to come."
Reflecting on her performance, Osaka admitted the challenges and pressure she felt during the match, expressing satisfaction at her level of play. She remarked, "Looking back on the match now, honestly I'm very proud of myself. I feel like I played at a pretty good level," reported AFP.
Osaka, who became a mother in July, rediscovered her passion for tennis, leading to her decision to return to the 2024 season. In her comeback match, she displayed her prowess by breaking Korpatsch's serve and securing the first set comfortably. However, the second set saw a resilient Korpatsch, posing a tougher challenge for Osaka, who navigated through the pressure points.
Despite Osaka breaking Korpatsch once more and serving for the match at 5-4, a determined German opponent forced the match into a tiebreak. Both players had opportunities, with Osaka finally prevailing on her third match point, sealing the victory with a powerful forehand down the line.
During a courtside interview, Osaka acknowledged that motherhood transformed her perspective on the game, emphasising her newfound appreciation for fans and fellow players. "I just really appreciate people coming out and cheering for me," she expressed, citing her daughter's influence on her personal growth and enhanced awareness of others.
In the men's draw, top seed Holger Rune rallied from a set down to defeat Max Purcell, while second seed Grigor Dimitrov overcame a resilient Andy Murray after dropping the first set. Additionally, Russia's Roman Safiullin secured victory against third-seeded Ben Shelton in a marathon match lasting over two-and-a-half hours.