Naomi Osaka mingles with koalas ahead of 2024 comeback at Brisbane International

The comeback is on. But first, koalas.

Naomi Osaka enjoyed an Aussie summer rite of passage when she visited the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary ahead of her highly-anticipated return to action at the 2024 Brisbane International.

The former world No. 1 has been off tour since announcing her pregnancy in December 2022, giving birth to daughter Shai last summer before ramping up her efforts to come back.

“Being a mom changed my life a lot,” she said in an interview on Friday. “I think it changed my perspective on a lot of things. For sure, I think giving birth was one of the most painful things I’ve ever gone through, so it definitely makes me feel like, physically, I can handle a lot more.

“I just want to show Shai that she’s capable of everything, so that’s one of my main purposes and reasons for wanting to be out here.”

Osaka aimed to temper expectations despite showing some impressive practice footage during the off-season, most of which shows the four-time Grand Slam champion is striking the ball as well as ever as she prepares to enter a draw featuring the likes of top seeds Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina.

“I think I’ve given myself the biggest chance to do well, but at the same time, I haven’t had any match play. Of course, this is the first tournament of the year, so I think I’m embracing that this is my first tournament in a long time. I’m just trying to have fun and do well at the same time.”

Perhaps an afternoon with the koalas has put Osaka in a calm mindset before the main draw is revealed.