Osaka just wants to have fun on Grand Slam return

SYDNEY: Naomi Osaka says she has returned to tennis from maternity leave with a more positive outlook and all the signs are that she will soon be back at a level where she can take on and beat the best in the world.

It might be too early for a tilt at a fifth Grand Slam title at the Australian Open this month but, with a good draw, a run deep into the second week at Melbourne Park cannot be counted out.

The 26-year-old, who pulled out of last year's Australian Open with the announcement that she was pregnant with her daughter Shai, showed in Brisbane last week that she still has the weapons to overpower many players in the women's game.

"I think for me even stepping on the court is a personal win because a couple of weeks ago I was even doubting if I could play with everyone," she said after her second-round loss to Karolina Pliskova.

"These two matches that I've had kind of prove to me that I am doing okay, and the year is just going to get better for me ... I know that if I keep training and if I keep putting in the work, then I'll eventually get to where I want to be."

Osaka bemoaned that she got to play only the two matches at the warm-up tournament after her loss in three sets to former world number one Pliskova, a tricky opponent who gave her trouble even when she was in her pomp.

"I feel like I'm pretty good where I am right now," Osaka said after the match.

"Even the last time I played her, I think I played better today. I feel like, honestly, I think I'm pretty good. I guess I'll see what happens in Melbourne."

Four Grand Slam titles in four seasons in her early 20s had Osaka marked out as a player who would be contending for the game's major prizes for many years to come.

Her Haitian-Japanese heritage, engaging