Naomi Osaka introduced on social media Wednesday that she’s anticipating a toddler and that she hopes to return to tennis early subsequent yr.

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Scott Barbour/Getty Images

Naomi Osaka introduced on social media Wednesday that she’s anticipating a toddler and that she hopes to return to tennis early subsequent yr.

Scott Barbour/Getty Images

Naomi Osaka is pregnant — and says she could possibly be returning to the tennis court docket subsequent yr.

Osaka shared the information, together with a photograph of a sonogram, and messages, in each Japanese and English, on social media Wednesday afternoon.

“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,’ haha,” Osaka wrote.

The 25-year-old tennis star rose to prominence after defeating Serena Williams, one of the most influential players on the court, in the U.S. Open Final in 2018. Osaka’s subsequent victories within the Australian Open in 2019, the U.S. Open in 2020 and the Australian Open in 2021 rapidly cemented her as considered one of only a few gamers to ever win their first 4 Grand Slam tournaments.

But the highest-paid feminine athlete on the planet publicly opened up about her struggles with psychological well being after pulling out of the 2021 French Open. After saying she would not participate in required media appearances, officers fined her $15,000 — and threatened to expel her from the tournament.

And after shedding within the 2021 U.S. Open, Osaka introduced that she would take an indefinite hiatus from tennis. Many athletes publicly praised Osaka for brazenly sharing her struggles with psychological well being.

“I honestly don’t know when I’m going to play my next tennis match,” Osaka advised reporters in a information convention. “I think I’m gonna take a break from playing for a while.”

The announcement on Wednesday additionally comes days after Osaka stated she would not be appearing in the 2023 Australian open. However, within the social media submit, Osaka confirmed that she is anticipated to compete within the Australian Open in 2024. It’ll be Osaka’s first look on the court docket since competing on the Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo final September, when she withdrew as a consequence of sickness.

Osaka additionally mirrored on the time she’s taken off from the game. In May, Osaka introduced that she would be launching her own sports agency. Osaka additionally wrote a children’s book that was launched final month.

“The past few years have been interesting to say the least, but I find that its the most challenging times in life that may be the most fun,” Osaka wrote Wednesday, including that the months-long hiatus led to “a new love and appreciation for the game I’ve dedicated my life to.”

Osaka has been in a relationship with Grammy-nominated rapper Cordae since 2019. The two mirrored on their years-long relationship, together with assembly for the primary time at an LA Clippers sport, in a 2021 spread for GQ.

“I feel like he actually really helped me win just, like, keeping up the motivation,” Osaka advised the journal, whereas reflecting on the assist he gave her whereas she quarantined for the U.S. Open in 2020.

On Wednesday, Osaka concluded her word saying: “I don’t think there’s a perfectly correct path to take in life but I always felt that if you move forward with good intentions you’ll find your way eventually.”