Tennis star Naomi Osaka is pregnant and will be out of the for at least one year. The 25-year-old made the announcement on Twitter on Wednesday in what she described as “a little life update for 2023.” She also shared a picture of an ultrasound.
“The past few years have been interesting to say the least, but I find that it’s the most challenging times in life that may be the most fun,” Osaka wrote on Twitter. “These few months away from the sport [have] really given me a new love and appreciation for the game I’ve dedicated my life to.”
“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,’” Osaka continued.
Osaka said she would return to the game next year with her child for the Australian Open.
“2023 will be a year full of lessons for me, and I hope I’ll see you guys at the start of the next one cause I will be back at the Australian Open 2024. Love you all infinitely,” Osaka added.
The last time Osaka played a competitive match was in Tokyo at the Toray Pan Pacific Open in September 2022. She had initially opened up about her struggles with mental health and depression and pulled out of the French Open in 2021. She also pulled out of the Australian Open, which will begin on Sunday.
Naomi Osaka’s career has suffered some setbacks in recent times. In 2019, the Japanese player was the top-ranking tennis player in the world, but fast-forward to 2022-2023, Osaka is now number 47th in the World.
The 25-year-old has four Grand Slam singles titles to her name, having won the US Open in 2018 and 2020 and the Australian Open in 2019 and 2021. In 2022, she was also named the World’s top-earning female athlete by Forbes. Her earnings amount to $51.1m.
Osaka had been dating Cordae, a 25-year-old American rapper for years, and is likely the father of Naomi’s child.
While players like Serena Williams returned to the game after giving birth, Ash Barty, the 2022 Australian Open Champion, retired from the game last week after announcing her pregnancy last year. Supporters of the 25-year-old are hoping that the star will be able to return as planned.
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