Naomi Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, has eased her way back onto the WTA Tour after the birth of her first child.
Osaka played with Nick Kyrgios in an exhibition match ahead of the US Open, where the former is a two-time champion.
She is now back at Flushing Meadows for the first time in two years, having also taken time off for her mental health.
Osaka faces Jelena Ostapenko in the first round, in what is a very tricky draw for the 2018 and 2020 winner, who returned to tennis in January.
Ostapenko is currently 10th in the WTA rankings, with the 10th seed aiming for her second Grand Slam title after winning the 2017 French Open.
Naomi Osaka shocked on WTA Tour after returning to tennis
Osaka has struggled to rediscover her form ahead of the US Open, having most recently lost in second round qualifying at the Cincinnati Open.
She watched on as Coco Gauff won the title last year, having also attended the event for an athlete mental health summit.
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Osaka has now looked back on her recent return to tennis, saying in her US Open press conference: “I do remember when I was watching Coco’s match last time I was here, I felt very inspired to play again. At that time, I didn’t know at what level could I play.
“So I think when I got to Australia earlier this year and when I played the French Open, honestly I’m a little shocked sometimes at how well the play is. Obviously I want to be in the top 10, and I want to do all these things, but I still, in the back of my mind, remember not being able to run, if that makes sense, or not being able to do a sit-up.
“In some moments I’m really amazed. But I came here with the specific goal of doing the absolute best that I can.
“I was watching in the stands last year, and I promised myself this is going to be the tournament where I do the best. Or hopefully here or Japan or during the Asian swing. That’s kind of where I put all my energy. I guess we’ll see what happens.”
Naomi Osaka shocked in a good way ahead of the US Open
Osaka lost in round one of the Australian Open earlier this year, before losing in rounds two of both the French Open and Wimbledon.
Currently sitting 88th in the WTA rankings, having climbed to number one in 2019, she has an 18/15 record for 2024.
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A first round meeting with Ostapenko is a harsh return to Flushing Meadows, but Osaka is a hard-court master, having also won two Australian Open titles.
She now aims to continue learning as she chases a fifth Grand Slam title and aims to climb the world rankings once more.
Asked to confirm if she was shocked in a good way, Osaka responded: “Yeah, yeah. I hope I wouldn’t be shocked in a bad way.
“I just feel like this year I’m experiencing so many new things. I’ve definitely played way more tournaments than I have played before.
“I don’t know. It’s very interesting because I have had practices here where I feel like I’m getting a lot better, and I realize there are so many things that I can do throughout the year that would make me a better tennis player, and I hope that I can just keep learning that way.”
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