With the Australian Open approaching, two-time champion Naomi Osaka is eyeing a third title. However, ahead of the tournament, she let out a sigh of relief after parting ways with Evolve, the agency she co-founded.

“There are just some things that I disagreed with. And having your name so publicly attached to something, and then like every decision they make, I don’t have control in that—it was just really stressful for me,” said Naomi Osaka in her conversation with Bounces by Ben Rothenberg.

She co-founded the agency with her long-time agent, Stuart Duguid, back in 2022, and after a three-year contract with the entity, Osaka decided it was time to say goodbye to the agency once and for all.

She took to social media to announce her exit from Evolve, “Writing this to say starting in the new year, I'll be parting ways with Evolve.” However, there’s still a mystery whether or not her longtime manager, Alex Boston, will be transferring with her from Evolve.

If not Evolve, then where? Well, the answer is IMG. The four-time major champion is set to return to IMG, the very agency that launched her career.

Currently ranked 16, Naomi Osaka is looking to reshape her career. However, she is struggling with back-to-back setbacks. Speaking to the media, she expressed, “I just hope to be able to look back on this tournament, however it ends, and not have any regrets."

But even before the first ball touched the court, she revealed some concerning health updates.

Australian Open in Jeopardy for Naomi Osaka?

Fans were hoping for a banger comeback from the former world No. 1, but she has just delivered some bad news about her health. “Almost three weeks since I first fell unwell, and I’m still coughing.. Yay!” she revealed on her social media.

This simple revelation from her has raised a major question from the masses: will she be ready before the Australian Open first match, which will be taking place on 20th Jan against Antonia Ruzic?

Given that, what are your thoughts on her comeback? Will she be able to shine like before? Share your opinion in the comments below.

Written by

Suryakant Das

Edited by

Oajaswini Prabhu