“I haven’t worn headphones since I’ve been back,” Naomi Osaka does not shy away from accepting motherhood and it’s ‘patient’ changes

Naomi Osaka was asked about her feelings about returning and what has changed since she became a mother. 

“I haven’t worn headphones since I’ve been back,” Naomi Osaka does not shy away from accepting motherhood and it’s ‘patient’ changes

Naomi Osaka in action during a match. (credits: www.asahi.com)

Former WTA World No. 1 Naomi Osaka has been out of action for a long time due to childbirth and last played at the Pan Pacific Open way back in 2021. 

At the form she was in at the moment, she left the entire tennis world in shock with the decision to take a break from the sport. She is now all set to feature at the Brisbane International, with videos of her training sessions going viral on social media all week. 

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In an interview released by the Brisbane International Press, Naomi Osaka was asked about her feelings about returning and what has changed since she became a mother. 

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I think I'm a lot more open-minded, a lot more patient. But, also, I feel a lot stronger, I don't know physically, but I think Shai definitely helped me with the way I view things. I'm excited to be back.
Osaka said

She also talked about how she is a much more open-minded and patient human being, and she also shared her mantra of how she tried to feel the real essence of the stadium and atmosphere after coming back.

I haven't worn headphones around the site since I've been back, so I think that's character development. I also feel like I'm more confident with who I am as a person. I never tried having conversations with other players before. Now I find myself interacting with people.
She further added

Who is Naomi Osaka facing at the Brisbane International?

Naomi Osaka will mark her return to the court against the 28-year-old German Tamara Korpatsch in the 64th round. Korpatsch is currently ranked No. 71 in the WTA rankings.

Naomi Osaka during a training session. (credits: Sky Sports)

Osaka will need to bring her A-game into the match against a player who will bear no mercy having come from a title win. Osaka will also want to take this comeback competition as a challenge and not just as a warmup to the highly coveted Australian Open.

With that being said, the match will take place on January 1, 2024, at 6:30 a.m. IST.

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