Naomi Osaka’s first elite-level tournament since giving birth concluded in a second-round loss to three-time champion Karolina Pliskova at the Brisbane International.
A loss at the Brisbane International didn’t anger Naomi Osaka as much as the missing opportunity to play more matches before the Australian Open.
The four-time major champion’s first tournament since giving birth ended in a 3-6, 7-6 (4), 6-4 second-round loss to three-time Brisbane International champion Karolina Pliskova on Wednesday. After the victory, she stated that the birth of her daughter, Shai, in July, as well as the changes in her thinking since becoming a mother, had given her a greater perspective on tennis.
A second-round match between two former No. 1 players was a step up in tempo and a stronger indicator of Osaka’s preparations for the Australian Open, the year’s first Grand Slam event, which begins on Jan. 14 in Melbourne.
“The week is definitely shorter than I wanted it to be,” he remarked. “I feel like I’m doing pretty well right now.” I think I played better tonight than I did the last time I played her.” Pliskova rallied from a set down to fire 16 aces and strike 50 winners, saving 10 of the 12 breakpoint chances she faced and made amends for her 11 double-faults.
“I saw the stats after and my break points could have been better,” she remarked, “but I think other than that we both played really well … so hopefully she says the same thing!” Pliskova, a former Wimbledon and US Open finalist who is now ranked 39th, was playing for the first time since September after a left wrist injury ended her 2023 season.
“A lot to work on, but a good start,” said Pliskova, who had her left wrist and hand wrapped for the day’s first match on Pat Rafter Arena. She’ll face third-seeded Jelena Ostapenko next, who defeated Camila Giorgi 6-1, 6-4. Aryna Sabalenka, the top seed and defending Australian Open champion, defeated Lucia Bronzetti 6-3, 6-0 and will face Zhu Li, who defeated Danielle Collins 1-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7), in the Round of 16.
Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, defeated Olivia Gadecki 6-4, 6-1 and will face No. 13 Elise Mertens, who defeated 2017 U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens 2-6, 6-1, 6-3. On the men’s side, top-seeded Holger Rune defeated Alexander Shevchenko in the night match 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 to qualify to the quarterfinals against Australian qualifier James Duckworth. In the first round, fourth-seeded Ugo Humbert defeated Alex Michelsen 6-4, 6-4.
Osaka’s next encounter will be an exhibition on Rod Laver Arena, the main court for the Australian Open, in Melbourne next week. She was pleased with her serve versus Pliskova, hitting 14 aces and only two double-faults while winning 83% of points on her first serve.
“I’ve trained so hard since giving birth, I need to enjoy these moments,” Osaka said, adding that motherhood had changed her perspective on winning and losing. “I definitely feel different. I mean, of course I feel sad, but the sadness is me being like, ‘Aww, I wish I could have done better, because I know I’m spending so much time away from her (Shai), so I want it to be worth it somehow.” Competing in Brisbane demonstrated that her preparation for the Australian Open, where she has won two Grand Slam titles, was not in vain.
“For me even stepping on the court is a personal win because a couple of weeks ago I was even doubting if I could play with everyone,” she went on to say. “So I guess these two matches that I’ve had kind of prove to me that I am doing OK, and the year is just going to get better for me.”
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