Four-time Grand Slam singles champion Naomi Osaka announced on Wednesday that she is pregnant and will miss the 2023 tennis season.
Osaka, 25, a former No. 1 women’s singles player who won two Australian Open and two U.S. Open titles, made the announcement on her social media accounts.
“Can’t wait to get back on the court but here’s a little life update for 2023,” Osaka wrote on her Instagram page.
Osaka has been dating rapper Cordae since 2019, according to ESPN.
Osaka, who won in Melbourne in 2019 and 2021, announced Sunday that she was withdrawing from the Australian Open, according to the WTA. Last year she advanced to the third round of the season’s first Grand Slam event before losing to Amanda Anisimova 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(5).
Osaka has not played a full match since her first-round loss at last year’s U.S. Open and competed in only 11 tournaments during the 2022 season, ESPN reported. She has not advanced past the third round at a major tournament since winning the Australian Open in 2021.
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Osaka has been candid about her mental health experiences and told reporters the sport was no longer bringing her joy after she lost at the U.S. Open in 2021, The Washington Post reported. She took an indefinite break but returned at the beginning of the 2022 season, according to the newspaper.
“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 tweeted. “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 realize that life is so short and I don’t take any moments for granted. Every day is a new blessing and adventure. 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. 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.”
Osaka began playing professional tennis in 2013 and was the first Japanese player to win a major title in a singles match in 2018 when she defeated Serena Williams in straight sets at the U.S. Open.
She was born in Japan but moved to the U.S. when she was young, the Los Angeles Times reported.