Who else remembers when (then) 20-year-oldNaomi OsakadefeatedtheGOAT Serena Williams?
Shes alsotaken breaksto prioritize her physical and emotional well-being and, oh yeah, shes a mom now too!
So what exactly has she been up to since the last time she graced Arthur Ashe Stadium in 2022?
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She was dealing with a few injuries.
Shortly before her last US Open appearance in 2022, Osaka was plagued by a series of injuries.
In June of that year, she skipped Wimbledon due to a lingering problem with herleft Achilles tendon.
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A back injury also caused her to pull out of the Canadian Open in August 2022.
She still participated in the US Open weeks later but lost in the opening match toDanielle Collins.
I lost in the first round of France, so this year hasnt really been a great year.
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I am really sorry that I am not able to compete today, Osaka said in astatement.
I wish I could have stepped on court today, but my body wont let me.
She welcomed her first child with rapper Cordae.
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(She gave birth to a baby girl, Shai, in July 2023.)
She ventured into fashion design.
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Shes continued to be a mental health advocate.
But then I got to a place where I needed toask for help….
I have a really good group of people around me, so it was just the process of asking.
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Actually, shes competed a lot this year.
Osakas long-awaited return to professional tennis came in January at the Brisbane International tournament.
Osaka snagged her first Grand Slam match win since 2022.
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When I think of it like that, I think Im doing pretty well.
Im also just trying not to be too hard on myself.
She also won her first Wimbledon match in six years.
The tennis star hadnt played on the iconic grass courts since 2019.
This July, though, Osaka made her highly-anticipated return to London.
Even though she only reached the second round, this years championship was particularly special for the new mom.
Im really trying tostay positive.
Now, shes focused on finding her stride again.
Internally I hear myself screaming what the hell is happening?!?!
I dont understand why everything has to feel almost brand new again.
I want her to aim for the stars and never think her dreams are too big.
See you in New York.
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