Naomi Osaka has announced she is pregnant with her first child and is planning to return to action at next year’s Australian Open.
The 25-year-old pulled out of this month’s first Grand Slam of the year last week with no official reason given for her withdrawal but on Wednesday posted a picture of a baby scan on social media.
“Can’t wait to get back on the court but here’s a little life update for 2023,” read Osaka’s caption.
She added: “I know that I have so much to look forward to in the future, one thing I’m looking forward to is for my kid to watch one of my matches and tell someone, “that’s my mom”.
“2023 will be a year that’ll be full of lessons for me and I hope I’ll see you guys in the start of the next one cause I’ll be at Aus 2024.”
Can’t wait to get back on the court but here’s a little life update for 2023. pic.twitter.com/GYXRnutU3I
— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) January 11, 2023
Osaka’s ranking has slipped to 47 and she has not played since September after withdrawing during the second round in Tokyo.
She won her first-round match at that tournament when Australia’s Daria Saville withdrew after one game with a knee injury.
Osaka won only one completed match since May and was beaten in the first round of her three previous tournaments, including the US Open at which she also is a two-time champion.
Last week she posted pictures on social media of a trip to Europe with her United States rapper boyfriend Cordae and had been considered unlikely to play in the first Grand Slam of the season.
Osaka took a mental health break after missing the 2021 French Open and later said she had been struggling with depression and anxiety for several years.