Former world no. 1 Naomi Osaka will begin her 2025 season at the ASB Classic in Auckland, as she returns to the city for the first time in eight years.

Osaka returned to competitive tennis from a 15-month maternity break at the start of this year. She made her comeback in Brisbane in early January before competing at the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam of the year.

Osaka suffered a first-round exit at the Australian Open and was knocked out in the second round at the French Open and Wimbledon. Later, the Japanese player lost her first-round match at the Paris Olympics before suffering a second-round exit at the U.S. Open.

Her best performance this year so far has been at the Qatar Open, a WTA 1000 tournament, where she reached the quarter-finals.

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Osaka will be back in Auckland for the first time since playing at the ASB Tennis Arena in 2017 when she reached the quarterfinals, losing to eventual finalist Ana Konjuh.

“I am looking forward to just embracing the nature of Auckland and of course, playing in a tournament that I have not played in for a long time,” Osaka said.

“I am excited to return to Auckland for the ASB Classic 2025. When I was there last time, I was fortunate to go on a helicopter tour and explore the beaches which I thought were really beautiful,” she added.

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The main draw play at the WTA 250 tournament in Auckland begins on Monday, December 30, 2024.

ASB Classic Tournament Director, Nicolas Lamperin said the tournament is looking forward to hosting Osaka, who began this season ranked No.833 and is now up to World No.76.

“Naomi is one of the premier players in tennis, with an exciting and hard-hitting game,” Lamperin said. “It is always challenging to return to this sport after extensive time away, but Naomi has shown some extremely promising form.

“She has an immensely powerful game and plays an exciting brand of tennis. Many believe Naomi will re-emerge at the top of the sport, and that journey for the 2025 season will start here in Auckland.”

Osaka, who gave birth to her daughter Shai in 2023, is a four-time Grand Slam champion, having won the 2018 and 2020 U.S. Open, and 2019 and 2021 Australian Open.