Tim Henman calls Naomi Osaka’s return a ‘huge addition’ to the sport as the 4-time Grand Slam Champ prepares for her much-anticipated comeback

Before the Australian Open, Brisbane International will help Osaka to gather some match experience under her belt.

Tim Henman calls Naomi Osaka’s return a ‘huge addition’ to the sport as the 4-time Grand Slam Champ prepares for her much-anticipated comeback

Naomi Osaka and Tim Henman (image via Tennis.com)

Naomi Osaka is all set to return in January. After missing almost the entirety of the 2023 season, Osaka has confirmed that she will be making a return to the court in the Brisbane International, a warmup to the Australian Open.

The Japanese star has been out of action due to pregnancy, which she announced before the Australian Open 2023. However, after six months of giving birth to her daughter Shai, she will be returning to Melbourne Park in 2024.

At this backdrop, the former British tennis player Tim Henman has called Osaka’s comeback a huge boost to the world of tennis.

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I think it's massively exciting to have Osaka coming back because she just played such incredible tennis in the slams. But she obviously had her struggles mentally, and to have been away from the court and now to be the mother of a child, I think inevitably that's going to give her a different perspective.
Tim Henman via Eurosport

Henman further added that there’s no doubt that she will try to give her best on her comeback and try to play the best tennis, but that’s not the most important thing for her right now. It will be an exciting phase for Osaka upon her comeback as she tries to find a balance between her professional tennis career and motherhood.

Tim Henman hopes for the return of the ‘ace’ Naomi Osaka

Making a comeback after pregnancy and a prolonged period won’t be an easy task for Osaka. However, the two-times US Open winner and the two-times Australian Open winner is surely ready to make the hard strides. Newly being Mother, Osaka will have a very different perspective upon her return to the court. Osaka herself urged that after her comeback she is going to play for her daughter.

Tim Henman remarks about Noami Osaka's return, says that her return is valuable addition to the sport.
Naomi Osaka (Image via: The NYT)

There’s no doubt that she will be a bit streaky during her first few matches due to her prolonged absence from the court. 

If she can be on the court playing with a smile on her face and showing her abilities, her ball striking, and the tennis that we've seen in the past, then she's a huge addition to world tennis.
Henman remarked about Osaka’s return to Eurosport

Before the Australian Open, Brisbane International will help Osaka to gather some match experience under her belt. The Japanese has a good track record in Melbourne Park, winning the Australian Open in the 2019 and 2021 season.

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