Professional tennis player Naomi Osaka revealed her pregnancy on Wednesday by sharing a picture of an ultrasound scan on her social media platforms.
“The past few years have been quite intriguing, but I have come to realize that it is during the most difficult moments in life that we can find the most enjoyment,” stated the four-time winner of major championships as they shared a photo.
“I have developed a newfound love and admiration for the sport that has been my lifelong dedication during these past few months of being away.”
Osaka announced her intention to compete in the 2024 Australian Open, a tournament she has previously won twice.
“I am aware that there are many exciting things ahead of me,” she remarked. “One of those things is the opportunity for my child to witness one of my matches and proudly say, ‘that’s my mother.'”
The organizers of the upcoming Australian Open announced on Sunday that the 25-year-old will be withdrawing from the competition.
Osaka has not competed in any matches since participating in the Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo in September of last year.
After taking a break from professional tennis, she publicly opened up about her battle with mental health. This came after an incident in August 2021 where she appeared visibly distressed and emotional while speaking to the media at a mandatory press conference at Roland Garros.
Following her victory in the 2018 major championship, Osaka announced her withdrawal from the French Open that year, citing her ongoing battle with depression.
Osaka expressed that there is no definite right way to navigate through life, but she believes that having good intentions will guide you towards the right direction over time. This was stated in her message on Wednesday.
Hilary Whiteman of CNN provided reporting contributions.
Source: cnn.com