Tennis player Naomi Osaka, who famously took a mental health break from the sport, is pregnant.
“Can’t wait to get back on the court, but here’s a little life update for 2023,” she posted on Instagram along with a sonogram photo.
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The announcement comes three days after the Australian Open tweeted that Osaka had withdrawn from the competition that begins next week, without giving a reason.
Osaka kicked off a controversy in 2021 when she was fined $15,000 for refusing to speak to the media at the French Open. She later withdrew from the competition to take a mental-health break, for which she received an outpouring of support from fellow athletes.
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She subsequently opened up publicly about her struggles with depression before returning to the court last year at Indian Wells. A heckler in the audience brought her to tears at the venue where, early in their careers, Venus and Serena Williams were jeered and accused of fixing matches. The sisters would not play at Indian Wells again for another 14 years.
“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 in her Instagram announcement. “These few months away from the sport has really given me a new love and appreciation for the game I’ve dedicated my life to. I realized that life is so short, and I don’t take any moments for granted; every day is a new blessing and adventure.”
The Grand Slam-winner promised fans she’d be back on the court by the beginning of 2024.
“One thing I’m looking forward to is for my kid to watch one of my matches and tell someone, ‘That’s my mom,’ ” she wrote, adding that “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. Love you all infinitely.”
