Two-time Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka returned to the training court in Melbourne on Thursday, marking the next step in her comeback after taking a break from tennis for the birth of her daughter.
Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam winner, took time off in 2023 to focus on her family but is now preparing for a return to competitive tennis. Though she made a comeback to the tour last year, the former world No. 1 has not yet found her previous form. Her most recent title came at the 2021 Australian Open.
For the second consecutive year, Osaka will face France’s Caroline Garcia in the first round of the 2024 Australian Open. The two players met in the opening round of the 2023 tournament, with Garcia eliminating Osaka in their match.
Osaka’s recent appearance in Auckland, New Zealand, at the ASB Classic ended early when she retired after the first set of the final against Clara Tauson. Osaka won the opening set 6-4 but withdrew during the break due to an abdominal injury, giving Tauson the title.