Tennis-Osaka growing in confidence as Brisbane comeback nears

FILE PHOTO: Tennis - U.S. Open - Flushing Meadows, New York, United States - August 30, 2022 Japan's Naomi Osaka during her first round match against Danielle Collins of the U.S. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton/File Photo

(Reuters) - Former world number one Naomi Osaka said she was feeling more confident in her own skin and enjoying interactions with fellow players ahead of her much-awaited return to tennis at next week's Brisbane International after 15 months out.

Osaka captured four Grand Slam titles, including two at the Australian Open, before taking a break to prioritise her mental health after skipping the 2021 French Open and later revealed that she had been battling depression and anxiety for years.