“Hard to win against her,” World no. 1 Iga Swiatek gets candid about new mom Naomi Osaka already setting trends with an impressive comeback

Naomi Osaka withdrew from the 2023 Australian Open after announcing her first pregnancy.

“Hard to win against her,” World no. 1 Iga Swiatek gets candid about new mom Naomi Osaka already setting trends with an impressive comeback

Naomi Osaka and Iga Swiatek (Credits: X)

Naomi Osaka recently made her comeback at the 2024 Brisbane International after spending 15 months away from the courts. The Japanese tennis icon went on a sabbatical last year after announcing her first pregnancy with longtime boyfriend and rapper, Cordae.

Subsequently, her return to the sport prompted Iga Swiatek to make a candid admission about the Japanese’s comeback, addressing how quickly the latter is taking over the WTA by storm.

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Osaka is currently participating at the ATP Brisbane International which serves as a warm-up event for the season’s first Grand Slam, the Australian Open. The 26-year-old’s opening round clash at the event witnessed her take on Tamara Korpatsch where she registered a straight-set victory over the German.

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Her opening round triumph despite remaining absent from the professional circuit elated Iga Swiatek, who praised the Japanese for putting in the hard work after enduring the struggles of motherhood. She said:

I'm really happy that she's back. I heard that she's really feeling well off court, which is amazing to hear. It's going to be nice to see her & to catch up a bit. I mean, her tennis has always been great. She had plenty ups & downs, but when she was playing great it was hard to win against her. She won for the first time in two years. Really amazing. She showed that it's possible.
Iga Swiatek via United Cup Press

Meanwhile, Iga Swiatek is currently attending the season’s United Cup where she is representing her Team Poland. The Pole is joined by her teammates Katarzyna Piter and Hubert Hurkacz, amongst others.

Naomi Osaka addresses having mid-match conversations with her team at Brisbane International

Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka recently addressed her take on having mid-match conversations with her team at the 2024 Brisbane International, asserting she may not depend on her coaches during a match again.

Naomi Osaka (Credits: The Today Show)

While a player’s conversation with their team during an ongoing match was earlier frowned upon, a new rule rolled out in the 2023 season which permitted coaching during an ATP, WTA, or a Grand Slam match. Owing to Osaka’s absence from the tour, the four-time Grand Slam champion experienced the latest rule for the first time and was later asked to divulge her thoughts on the same in a post-match press conference.

Yeah, probably not. Like, I was just really nervous so I wanted to see if talking would help.
Naomi Osaka at the post match press conference

Former World No. 1 Osaka will now square off against Karolina Pliskova in the event’s Round of 32 on Wednesday, December 3.

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