Naomi Osaka of Japan serves in her match against Tamara Korpatsch of Germany during the Brisbane International tennis tournament in Brisbane, Australia, Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Tertius Pickard)
Andy Murray of Great Britain reacts after missing a shot in his match against Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria during the Brisbane International tennis tournament in Brisbane, Australia, Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Tertius Pickard)
BRISBANE, Australia (AP) 鈥 Motherhood has helped give Naomi Osaka a new mindset when things are getting tough on court.
In her first competitive match since September 2022, the four-time major winner was broken while serving for the match and needed three match points in the tiebreaker before converting a 6-3, 7-6 (9) victory over Tamara Korpatsch on Monday at the Brisbane International.
Osaka didn't play the Australian Open last year and later revealed she was pregnant. She and her partner, rapper Cordae, became parents to daughter Shai in Los Angeles in July.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a big change overnight,鈥 former No. 1-ranked Osaka said of returning to the tour as a mom. "For me, I love it a lot because ... in a way I would say (Shai) has helped me grow up so much so quickly.
鈥淥ff the court I鈥檓 more aware of people and I appreciate them a lot more 鈥 even my opponents and everything,鈥 she said. 鈥淥n the court it鈥檚 just helping me be strong and staying in the moment more.鈥
Every time she missed an opportunity to win the match on Monday, she composed herself and focused on giving herself another hance.
鈥淚 was super nervous the whole time,鈥 Osaka said. 鈥淎 part of me felt like Shai was watching me. I wanted to do my best for her.
鈥淲hile I鈥檓 playing, I鈥檓 aware of it in the sense that I want to be a good role model for my daughter. Other than that I think I鈥檓 pretty much trying to be the same old me."
Before Monday, the first day of 2024, Osaka had only played one competitive match since her first-round exit at the 2022 U.S. Open.
But she has spent many months preparing for her return, including a renewed focus on living in the moment.
鈥淭he last couple years that I played before I had my daughter, I didn鈥檛 return as much love as I was given,鈥 she told the crowd at Pat Rafter Arena. 鈥淪o I really feel like that鈥檚 what I want to do in this chapter.鈥
And, of course, she's paying more attention to the younger people in the crowd.
鈥淚 guess like towards the end when I was signing autographs, I was more aware of kids,鈥 she told a post-match news conference. 鈥淚 see them differently now because now I鈥檓 a mom, too, and I can picture Shai being that age.鈥
Osaka will play a fellow former No. 1, three-time Brisbane International champion Karolina Pliskova, in the second round.
Persistent rain meant matches on outside courts were suspended, confining matches to the covered main stadium.
In the men's draw, top seed Holger Rune rallied to beat Australian Max Purcell 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 and No. 2-seeded Grigor Dimitrov overcame Andy Murray 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 in a 2 1/2-hour night match between two former Brisbane International champions.
Third-seeded Ben Shelton, the 21-year-old American who reached the U.S. Open semifinals last year, lost 6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-3 to Roman Safiullin.
The 26-year-old Safiullin is ranked 39th but had wins over Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev last year.
The Brisbane International is one of the key tune-up events for the Australian Open which begins Jan. 14 in Melbourne.
___
AP tennis:
国产诱惑福利. All rights reserved.
Sorry, an error occurred.
Already Subscribed!
Cancel anytime
Thank you .
Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.
Check your email for details.
Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.
An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account.
No promotional rates found.
Secure & Encrypted
Thank you.
Your gift purchase was successful! Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.
| Rate: | |
| Tax: | |
| Today's total: | |
| Begins: | |
| Transaction ID: |
A receipt was sent to your email.
