Mothers seek balance in Melbourne

MELBOURNE:

Naomi Osaka said on Friday she may be “feeling homesick” at the Australian Open as the two-time former champion prepares to return to Grand Slam tennis after becoming a mother.

The former world number one retired from tennis in September 2022, citing mental health concerns.

After giving birth to a baby girl, Shai, in July, Osaka rediscovered her love for the game and decided to return for the 2024 season.

“I was able to hit with some players and, I guess, feel the nostalgia again,” he said. “But really excited to be back. It’s been really fun so far.”

The Japanese star, who has won four Grand Slams, said she relished being back at Melbourne Park, where she won the tournament in 2019 and 2021.

“I love the comfort of it,” she said. “I guess I just go into the locker room and have the same locker as before.

“I think it’s the little things that make me really happy. To be able to beat Rod Laver (Arena), I guess I’m looking up at the sky and realizing I’ve managed to win twice here. I’d like to do it again.

“I feel like this Slam is the one that changes the most, but there are some things that stay the same. Those are the things that I think give me the most nostalgia.”

Osaka said it was difficult being away from Shai, who has not traveled with her, as she returned to the court for the Australian swing.

The 26-year-old was beaten in the second round of last week’s Brisbane International by Karolina Pliskova.

Meanwhile, Caroline Wozniacki admits she will ultimately “never be cool” with her two young children, even as they watch her pursue more Grand Slam glory at the Australian Open.

The Dane made a shock return to tennis last year after retiring in 2020, reaching the fourth round at the US Open in her first major for three years.

Now the former world number one returns to Melbourne Park — the scene of her only major win in 2018 — with Oliva (two) and James (one) in droves.

She has joined a group of tennis mums who juggle on-court commitments with motherhood duties, including Elina Svitolina, Angelique Kerber and Naomi Osaka.

Wozniacki, who was given a wild card to play in Melbourne, said in a pre-tournament press conference on Friday that she travels “everywhere” with her children.

“It’s so much fun to be able to share those memories with them, even though they’re still pretty young,” she said.

“I think I felt busy before, before I had kids,” she added. “I thought I don’t know how you can be any busier, but that was definitely proven wrong after having kids.

“It doesn’t matter if you’ve played for an hour, three hours, 10 hours, they’re still there and full of energy. They want you to be there 100 percent for them.”

Similarly, former world number one and new mum Angelique Kerber says she still “has the fire” to compete at the top and always planned to return to tennis after giving birth.

The three-time major champion ended an 18-month United Cup hiatus this month by helping Germany to the title in Sydney.

Now preparing for her first Grand Slam since having a baby, she admitted she missed the emotion and drama that comes with being on court.

“Why am I coming back? I think that’s the question a lot of people ask me. It’s because I love the sport, I love playing tennis,” the 35-year-old said on Friday ahead of the Australian Open. , which he won in 2016.