(Brisbane) Naomi Osaka, champion of four major tournaments, will make her return to tennis at the Brisbane tournament, the launch pad for the Australian Open.
Tournament officials have confirmed that Osaka will participate in the tournament, which will take place from December 31 to January 7.
Crowned twice in both Australia and New York, Osaka withdrew from last year’s Melbourne event, later announcing she was pregnant.
The former No. 1 announced the birth of her daughter Shai in July.
“I’m really excited to get back on the field. I always enjoy starting my season in Brisbane and can’t wait to get back there,” Osaka said in a statement.
Osaka was born in Japan and moved to the United States with her parents when she was three years old.
The 26-year-old hasn’t played since September 2022, during a tournament in Tokyo.
Australian Open officials announced last month that Osaka would compete in the first stage of the Grand Slam, which begins on January 14.