MELBOURNE, Australia — There may not have been a greater cheer over the first two days of Australian Open play than the one that reverberated around Rod Laver Arena as Naomi Osaka was warmly welcomed back into the cauldron of Grand Slam competition from a 15-month maternity break.
The capacity crowd rose to its feet in anticipation as a steely faced Osaka strode through the walk of champions, headphones on and sparkling inside a shiny gold jacket. As she passed by her own banner, which displayed her 2019 and 2021 Melbourne Park triumphs, she reached out with her left palm and gently grazed it, perhaps for good luck.
Then came the introduction over the PA system and the ensuing roar. Osaka was back.
The former world No. 1’s return to major tennis — Osaka made her official comeback earlier this month at the Brisbane International — may have been spoiled by 16th seed Caroline Garcia, who prevailed 6-4, 7-6 (2), but it proved just how much she means to the sport. The crowd rallied behind her from the opening point right up until she fluffed an attempted crosscourt backhand to stave off the first of what would have been four Garcia match points.
There’s no doubt Osaka was rusty. She struggled with her serve and was unable to find a consistent rhythm in the baseline scraps, dumping some balls halfway up the net and others 6 feet past the baseline. At times she looked toward the night sky, seemingly dumbfounded with how she was playing. But that was all to be expected.
“I felt like I did the best that I could possibly do. It was just really nice to be on Rod Laver again, hear the audience, how much they interacted with the match,” Osaka said after the defeat. “I have to tell myself, ‘Hey, like six months ago you were pregnant,’ stuff like that. Of course, there’s a voice in my head that is, ‘Who are you to think you can come back and immediately start winning matches?'”
What was encouraging about the Osaka performance was her positive approach and willingness to swing freely throughout even if she later admitted to feeling “hesitant” on the court. The fitness and finesse will return with more matches under her belt, but that mindset is something sure…
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