Defending Champion Naomi Osaka Returns To Melbourne

Japanese tennis player Naomi Osaka has arrived for the Australian Open, the inaugural Grand Slam of 2022, which begins on January 17. She is a two Australian Open winner and currently a defending champion in this tournament, where she won her fourth Grand Slam title this year.

She was seeded second at the French Open, but before the start of the tournament, Osaka said she would not conduct her mandatory media assignments. The 24-year-old was later fined $15,000.

The Japanese star had earlier posted about her enthusiasm at returning to Australia to participate in the Australian Open.

Naomi Osaka is all ready for a comeback after standing out for more than three months. She will start her 2022 edition by contesting at a WTA 250 event in Melbourne, following to protect her Australian Open title.

The appearance of Osaka in the Australian Open is a huge uplift for the tournament which has sorrowed some heavy losses from the women’s withdraws including Serena Williams, Nadia Podoroska, Karolina Pliskova, Jennifer Brady, Karolina Muchova and Bianca Andreescu.

Doubtful clouds still loom over whether world men’s No.1 Novak Djokovic, who has declined to reveal his vaccination position, will yield with rules and participate for a world record 21st grand slam at Rod Laver Arena.

Apart from Naomi Osaka, Alex Zverev and Stefanos Tsitsipas have also arrived in Sydney to participate in the Australian Open.