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<p>First-time mother Naomi Osaka is sharing her plans to return to professional tennis in 2024. As <a href="https://dev.theshaderoom.com/naomi-osaka-workout-grind-7-weeks-welcoming-daughter-giving-birth/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Shade Room</a> previously reported, the 25-year-old recently gave birth to a daughter whom she shares with rapper Cordae in July.</p>
<h5 style="text-align: center;">RELATED: <a href="https://dev.theshaderoom.com/naomi-osaka-workout-grind-7-weeks-welcoming-daughter-giving-birth/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Puttin&#8217; In WERK! Naomi Osaka Is Back On Her Workout Grind 7 Weeks After Welcoming Daughter</a></h5>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Naomi Osaka Details Her Return Plans</h3>
<p>The new mother sat down for an exclusive interview with <a href="https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/38341361/naomi-osaka-plans-busy-schedule-2024-return-competition" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ESPN</a>, published Wednesday. During the conversation, the 25-year-old confirmed her plans to return to the professional sport in 2024. However, she also revealed that she intends to participate in &#8220;way more tournaments&#8221; than previously.</p>
<blockquote><p>&#8220;It&#8217;s definitely way more tournaments than I used to play,&#8221; Osaka told the outlet. &#8220;I think some people will be happy with that.&#8221;</p></blockquote>
<p>When questioned about her choice to play in more tournaments next year, Osaka explained that she wants to &#8220;ease&#8221; into things. Additionally, she said she wants to set herself up for a &#8220;very good end of the year.&#8221;</p>
<blockquote><p>&#8220;I think it’s because I realized that I don’t know how the beginning of the year is going to go for me. I don’t know the level of play, and I think I have to ease into it,&#8221; she explained. &#8220;So, at the very least, I’m going to set myself up for a very good end of the year.&#8221;</p></blockquote>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">The 25-Year-Old Spoke On Missing Tennis Amid Motherhood</h3>
<p>According to <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/07/tennis/naomi-osaka-announces-tennis-return-spt-intl/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CNN</a>, Osaka has not competed in the professional sport since September 2022 at the Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo. In speaking with <a href="https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/38341361/naomi-osaka-plans-busy-schedule-2024-return-competition" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ESPN</a>, the 25-year-old shared how much she &#8220;definitely&#8221; missed the sport.</p>
<p>Additionally, she explained that motherhood has &#8220;really fueled a fire&#8221; in her.</p>
<blockquote><p>&#8220;I’ve been watching matches, and I’m like, &#8216;I wish I was playing too,'&#8221; Osaka explained. &#8220;But I’m in this position now, and I’m very grateful. I really love my daughter a lot, but I think it really fueled a fire in me.&#8221;</p></blockquote>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.espn.com/core/video/iframe/_/id/38341045/endcard/false" width="640"></iframe></p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Naomi Osaka Details Appreciating &#8220;A Lot Of Things&#8221; She Once &#8220;Took For Granted&#8221;</h3>
<p>Earlier on Wednesday, the 25-year-old appeared at the US Open in Flushing, New York.</p>
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<p>Additionally, she participated in a mental health forum during the event alongside former competitive swimming legend Michael Phelps, the US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, and more.</p>
<p>During the panel, she further discussed her time away from the sport and how she now appreciates her career more.</p>
<blockquote><p>&#8220;It really raised my love for the sport. It made me realize I’m not going to play forever,&#8221; she explained. &#8220;I have to embrace the times. I’ve been playing tennis since I was three. I don’t think I can predict what I’ll do. I never can do that, but it made me appreciate many things that I took for granted.&#8221;</p></blockquote>
<p>Furthermore, the 25-year-old provided further context for her newfound appreciation by reflecting on her pregnancy.</p>
<blockquote><p>&#8220;I actually felt lonely during my pregnancy just because I felt like I wasn’t able to do a lot of things.&#8221;</p></blockquote>
<p>As <a href="https://dev.theshaderoom.com/naomi-osaka-workout-grind-7-weeks-welcoming-daughter-giving-birth/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Shade Room</a> previously reported, Osaka is wasting no time getting herself prepared for her return, recently showing off her workouts on social media.</p>
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<p>Roomies, please join us in sending support to new mother Naomi Osaka!</p>
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