Naomi Osaka: Tennis Star Makes Bold Promise on Return to Court After Four-Month Break

• Osaka marked her return with a victory in the first round of the Melbourne Summer Set event
• The 24-year old spoke candidly to reporters about her future as she vowed never to cry again in front of the press
• The Japan international managed to beat France's Alize Cornet 6-4 3-6 6-3 despite not being at her best

Tennis star Naomi Osaka vowed to never cry in the pressroom again as she made a winning return to the courts on Monday, January 3.

The 24-year old reigning Australia Open champion took a three month break from the sport after defeat in the third round in September US Open.

On her return, she was far from her best but despite unforced errors, still managed to beat her rival France's Alize Cornet 6-4 3-6 6-3.

The Japanese international had a total of 57 unforced errors, including eight double faults.

After the match, Osaka spoke to reporters as she reflected on her recent past and what she has set her sights on for 2022.

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"I only really have one major goal this year, and it's completely unrelated to results and stuff like that," she said.

"For me, I just want to feel like every time I step on the court I'm having fun. I can walk off the court knowing that even if I lost, I tried as hard as I could.

"Also, I have a goal in the pressroom, that I'm never going to cry again, so hopefully that works out in my favour.

A Turbulent 2021 in the past for Osaka

In 2021, Osaka skipped both the French Open and Wimbledon, after causing a stir when she refused to partake media duties during Roland Garros.

She made a return in the Tokyo Olympics but lost in the third round.

Having exited the US open in the same stage, Osaka disclosed that winning no longer left her feeling happy and decided to prioritise her mental health.

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In her absence, she slipped from world number two to 13.

"In the break I was feeling like I didn't know what my future was going to be. I'm pretty sure a lot of people can relate to that. Of course you never know what the future holds, but it was definitely an indecisive time,’ she went on to tell reporters at the Melbourne Summer Set.