CNN
—
tennis star Naomi Osaka announced her pregnancy on Wednesday, posting an ultrasound photo to her social media accounts.
“At least the last few years have been exciting, but I find that it can be the most challenging time of my life but also the most fun,” the four-time grand slam champion wrote alongside the photo.
“Several months away from sports [have] really gave me a new love and appreciation for the game I’ve dedicated my life to.”
Osaka said she plans to return to tennis in 2024 for next year’s Australian Open, which she has won twice before.
“I know that I have a lot to look forward to in the future,” she added. “One thing I look forward to is my kid watching one of my games and saying to someone, ‘that’s my mom.’”
The 25-year-old’s withdrawal from the upcoming Australian Open was announced by the competition’s organizers on Sunday.
Osaka has not competed since the Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo last September.
She has taken a break from competitive tennis for a while and made some well-publicized revelations about her struggles with mental health following an incident in August 2021, when she found out. It was evidently tense and emotional to speak to the media during a mandatory press conference at Roland Garros.
Osaka later withdrew from that year’s French Open and revealed that she had “suffered prolonged bouts of depression” since winning her first major championship in 2018.
“I don’t think there is a completely correct path to take in life but I have always felt that if you move forward with good intentions you will eventually find your way,” added Osaka. in Wednesday’s statement.
