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The Japanese former world number one said she was taking a break
from the sport to focus on her mental health following her shock
third-round exit at the U.S. Open in September.
The four-time Grand Slam champion has struggled for form since
she withdrew from the French Open in May after a row with
tournament officials over her decision to boycott mandatory
press conferences, which she said had a negative impact on her
mental well-being.
Following her defeat by Canadian Leylah Fernandez at Flushing
Meadows, Osaka said she did not know when she would play her
next match.
"Kinda rusty but feels good to be back," the 24-year-old posted
on Twitter along with a photo of her smiling and leaning against
the net in workout gear.
"I really want to say thank you everyone for all the kind
messages, I really appreciate it."
Osaka shot to global fame on the back of her triumphs on the
sport's biggest stages before opening up a discussion on mental
health that reverberated beyond tennis.
It remains to be seen whether she will compete at January's
Australian Open, where she is a two-time champion.
(Reporting by Rory Carroll in Los Angeles, editing by Pritha
Sarkar)
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