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A GRAND SLAM RETURN, BUT JUSTINE HENIN “ADMIRES” NAOMI OSAKA WARNS OF CHALLENGES—”COMING BACK NEVER EASY”
Justine Henin expresses anticipation for Naomi Osaka’s return to Grand Slam tennis at the upcoming Australian Open, describing it as a moment that will “provide some answers.” Osaka, a two-time Australian Open champion in 2019 and 2021, revealed her pregnancy ahead of last year’s tournament and welcomed her daughter in July. Osaka joins other former champions like Angelique Kerber and Caroline Wozniacki, with Wozniacki making her comeback at the US Open in August.
Henin acknowledges the uncertainty surrounding Osaka’s current condition, stating, “It’s going to be great to see her back on the courts, but predicting her physical state is challenging. This return will offer insights, marking just the beginning of a new chapter.”
Osaka marked her return to professional play with a victory over Tamara Korpatsch at the Brisbane International in January but faced a defeat to Karolina Pliskova in the second round. In the upcoming Australian Open, the 26-year-old is set to face 16th seed Caroline Garcia in the first round.
Reflecting on her own year-long hiatus from the sport, Henin recognizes the diverse situations of players returning to action in Melbourne. She emphasizes the challenges of coming back after a prolonged break, noting, “Coming back is never easy. I experienced it after a year, achieving success by reaching the final of the Australian Open. However, we have women who became mothers and players who took extended breaks. Each situation is unique, and I admire the effort required to return physically, especially for those who are mothers.”
“To exercise the right and opportunity to become mothers while continuing to pursue their passion and profession in tennis is commendable. Witnessing these players return to the court is truly inspiring, even though we acknowledge the challenges they face,” the seven-time Grand Slam champion remarked.
While expressing enthusiasm for players making comebacks, Henin emphasized the difficulty they might encounter at the first major event of the year, anticipated to be “something really special.” She pointed out Elina Svitolina’s success last year as evidence that returning to a high level is possible early in the season but acknowledged the intensified pressure in the initial rounds, particularly the first round of a Grand Slam.
Henin recognized the inevitability of disappointments in sports, emphasizing that victories and losses are part of every athlete’s career. Despite the anticipated difficulties, she highlighted the champions’ mentality of these women, expressing confidence that their experience and resilience will be valuable assets. While acknowledging the unique challenges posed by the physical aspect of returning to competition, Henin expressed excitement about the return of these accomplished players.
Anticipating an exciting and interesting women’s draw, Henin welcomed the return of names like Emma Raducanu, Jennifer Brady, and Amanda Anisimova to major tennis in Melbourne, adding to the overall intrigue of the competition.
