Naomi Osaka triumphs against Tamara Korpatsch at Brisbane International to make a triumphant return

Naomi Osaka, the former world number one and a new mother, defeated Germany’s Tamara Korpatsch in a close match on Monday at the Brisbane International to win her first match back after a lengthy sabbatical.

After spending an hour and forty-seven minutes on the court, the 26-year-old eventually defeated a valiant Korpatsch 6-3, 7-6 (11/9) at Pat Rafter Arena.

Four-time Grand Slam winner Osaka, who left tennis in September 2022 because to mental health issues, said, “I was really nervous, but I was excited to be out there.”

She opted to return for the 2024 season after rediscovering her passion for the game after giving birth to a baby daughter in July.

When she broke Korpatsch to love in the first game and then broke again to win the first set rather easily, it seemed as if she had never been gone.

However, things turned around in the second set as Osaka started to see pressure from Korpatsch’s lifting.

In the first game of the second set, Korpatsch broke Osaka’s serve. Despite Osaka breaking back quickly, she was no longer as confident as the determined German.

Osaka did break again and was serving at 5-4 to win the match, but she was beaten once more, forcing a tiebreak in which both women had their opportunities.

Before Osaka won on her third chance with a forceful forehand down the line, she wasted two match opportunities and Korpatsch two set points.

Courtside, she said that being a mother had altered her perspective on the game, as she had previously felt too alone among supporters and other players.

“I didn’t return as much love as I was given in the last couple of years that I played before having my daughter,” the woman said.

That’s what I really feel like I should be doing in this chapter. I just want to say how much I appreciate everyone who came out to support me.