Just days before last year's Australian Open, tennis star Naomi Osaka announced that she was pregnant and would be taking a break.
In July, her first child, Shai, was born, whom she has had with American rapper Cordae.
Now the former world number one and four-time grand slam winner is close to a comeback. Osaka has arrived in Australia and is one of several poster names set to play in the WTA 500 Brisbane International tournament, which begins on December 31.
Among the other names are world number two Aryna Sabalenka, Karolina Pliskova, Victoria Azarenka and Madison Keys.
Has a wild card to the Australian Open
The tournament can be seen as a dress rehearsal for the Australian Open, which in turn begins on January 14.
Naomi Osaka, who won the tournament in 2019, has already received a wild card, as have competitors Angelique Kerber and Caroline Wozniacki, who are also back after giving birth.
Outside of tennis, the Japanese star has made headlines for being open about his mental health. She has also been questioned in the media for avoiding interviews and boycotting press conferences.
"Thank you to everyone who has supported me over the past year. I know we share some incredible memories and I know I've even done some things that I wish I would have handled differently.
Thank you for allowing me to grow up in peace and for showing me patience. Very honored to now start chapter two of my tennis journey," Naomi Osaka wrote in a longer post on social media a week ago.