Former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka is set to make her return to the tennis court in style, kicking off her 2025 season at the ASB Tennis Classic in Auckland, New Zealand. The four-time Grand Slam singles winner will be back in action after an 18-month break, which she dedicated to welcoming her daughter, Shai, into the world.
Osaka, currently ranked 76th in singles, will be looking to rediscover her form after her second-round exit at the US Open in August. Her last appearance in Auckland was in 2017, where she reached the quarterfinals.
The excitement surrounding Osaka’s return to Auckland is palpable. Tournament director Nicolas Lamperin expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “Naomi is one of the premier players in tennis with an exciting and hard-hitting game. It is always challenging to return to this sport after extensive time away, but Naomi has shown some extremely promising form.” He added, “She has an immensely powerful game and plays an exciting brand of tennis. Many believe Naomi will re-emerge at the top of the sport, and that journey for the 2025 season will start here in Auckland.”
Osaka herself shared her excitement, revealing her fond memories of Auckland. “I am looking forward to just embracing the nature of Auckland and of course playing in a tournament that I have not played in for a long time,” she said. “I am excited to return to Auckland. When I was there last time, I was fortunate to go on a helicopter tour and explore the beaches, which I thought were really beautiful. My other memory is that Auckland has the best salmon.”
The ASB Classic will be held from December 30th to January 5th, and fans worldwide will be eagerly awaiting Osaka’s return to the court. The tournament provides a perfect platform for her comeback, and her presence is sure to add an extra layer of excitement to the event.
