cnn
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Tennis star Naomi Osaka announced her pregnancy on Wednesday, posting a photo of an ultrasound on her social media accounts.
“The last few years have been interesting, to say the least, but I think the most challenging moments in life can be the most fun,” the four-time Major champion wrote alongside the photo.
“These months away from sport [have] “It really gave me a new love and appreciation for the game I have dedicated my life to.”
Osaka said she plans to return to tennis in 2024 for next year's Australian Open, a tournament she won on two previous occasions.
“I know I have a lot to look forward to in the future,” he added. “Something I'm looking forward to is that my son sees one of my games and tells someone, 'that's my mom.'”
The organizers of the competition announced on Sunday the withdrawal of the 25-year-old from the upcoming Australian Open.
Osaka has not played since the Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo in September last year.
She took time away from competitive tennis and made several highly publicized revelations about her struggles with mental health following an incident in August 2021 where she was visibly stressed and emotional while addressing the media during a mandatory press conference at Roland Garros.
Osaka subsequently withdrew from the French Open that year, revealing that she had “suffered long bouts of depression” since winning her first major championship in 2018.
“I don't believe there is a perfectly correct path to follow in life, but I have always felt that if you move forward with good intentions you will eventually find your way,” Osaka added in her statement Wednesday.
