Osaka to start '25 at ASB Classic in New Zealand

AUCKLAND, New Zealand -- Former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka will start her 2025 season at the ASB Tennis Classic in Auckland in January.

The four-time Grand Slam singles winner returned to tennis this year after an 18-month break during which she gave birth to a daughter, Shai. She is ranked 76th in singles and she lost in the second round of the US Open on Aug. 29.

Osaka last played in Auckland in 2017, reaching the quarterfinals. She split with her coach last week following her US Open loss.

"Naomi is one of the premier players in tennis with an exciting and hard-hitting game," tournament director Nicolas Lamperin said Tuesday. "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 reemerge at the top of the sport and that journey for the 2025 season will start here in Auckland."

The ASB Classic runs from Dec. 30 to Jan. 5.