Naomi Osaka expressed her concern when she withdrew from the Australian Open earlier this month, but revealed the reason she won’t be playing in the first Grand Slam tournament of 2023.
Osaka, 25, announced that she is pregnant.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Naomi Osaka plays Daria Saville during the Toray Pan Pacific Open at Ariake Coliseum on September 20, 2022 in Tokyo.
(Kiyoshi Ota/Getty Images)
“The past few years have been interesting, to say the least, but I believe it’s the most challenging times in life that can be the most fun,” he said in a statement. “These few months away from the sport have really given me a new love and appreciation for the game that I have dedicated my life to. I realize that life is very short and I don’t take any moment for granted, every day is a new blessing. and adventure I know I have a lot to look forward to in the future, one thing I hope is that my son watches one of my games and says to someone, ‘that’s my mom’ haha 2023 will be a year full of lessons for me and I hope to see you at the beginning of the next one because I will be in Aus 2024. I love you all infinitely.
“Side note: I don’t think there’s a perfectly right path to take in life, but I always felt that if you go forward with good intentions, you’ll eventually find your way.”
NOVAK DJOKOVIC IS AT RISK OF MISSING US TOURNAMENTS DUE TO NEW COVID-19 TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS
Osaka’s boyfriend is rapper Cordae. The two have been together since 2019. He won the Australian Open in 2019 and 2021.
Naomi Osaka plays against Amanda Anisimova during the French Open at Roland Garros on May 23, 2022 in Paris.
(Antonio Borga/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
He has not played since September after withdrawing during the second round in Tokyo. She won her first round match when Australia’s Daria Saville withdrew from the tournament. She has only won one complete match since May and was defeated in the first round of her previous three tournaments, including the US Open.
Naomi Osaka during practice at the Toray Pan Pacific Open at Ariake Coliseum on September 19, 2020 in Tokyo.
(Robert Prange/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Ukrainian Dayana Yastremska was promoted in her place.
Associated Press contributed to this report.