“I know that I have so much to look forward to in the future,” Osaka said Wednesday while announcing news of her pregnancy. “One thing I’m looking forward to is for my kid to watch one of my matches and tell someone, ‘that’s my mom.’”

Tennis champion Naomi Osaka on Wednesday announced she is pregnant, posting a photo of an ultrasound scan on her social media accounts.

“The past few years have been interesting, to say the least, but I find that it’s the most challenging times in life that may be the most fun,” the 25-year-old wrote alongside the photo.

“These few months away from the sport have really given me a new love and appreciation for the game I’ve dedicated my life to.”

The Japanese former world number one, who has not played since last September, earlier this week pulled out of the upcoming Australian Open, a tournament she has won on two previous occasions. Her withdrawal was announced by the competition’s organisers on Sunday.

Adding that she plans to return to tennis in 2024, for next year’s Australian Open, Osaka said: “2023 will be a year that’ll be full of lessons for me. I realise that life is so short and I don't take any moments for granted, every day is a new blessing and adventure.”

“I know that I have so much to look forward to in the future,” she added. “One thing I’m looking forward to is for my kid to watch one of my matches and tell someone, ‘that’s my mom.’”

The four-time major champion, who has dropped to 47 in the world rankings, won the last of her four Grand Slams at the Australian Open in 2021. She, however, spoke of the problems she faced since the memorable title win.

In May 2021, after pulling out of the French Open, she revealed she had “suffered long bouts of depression” since winning her first major title, the US Open, in 2018.

She took a five-month break from the sport in September 2021 following an incident in August 2021, where she was visibly stressed and emotional while addressing the media during a mandatory news conference at Roland Garros.

“I don’t think there’s a perfectly correct path to take in life but I always felt that if you move forward with good intentions you’ll find your way eventually,” Osaka added in her Wednesday statement.