Osaka hopes to return to the top spots this year, inspired by daughter Shai.

Former world number one Naomi Osaka believes she can return to the top end of the rankings by the end of the year, citing inspiration from being a new mother.

The four-time Grand Slam champion exited the Australian Open early after 15 months away from the sport after giving birth to her first child, but she is confident she will return to the top as she prepares for the WTA 500 event in Abu Dhabi.

"I obviously have so much respect for (the top-ranked players) and everything that they've done. But I don't really see myself as a challenger, which is a weird thing," Osaka told The National in an interview published on Monday.

"It's really bold to say but I know what I'm capable of and I know people are going to probably drag me for saying this, but I don't think it's a stretch for me to say that I see myself there."

"I hope that I can get there this year, hopefully towards the tail-end of the year. But if not I'm okay with being patient, I've always been a patient person, so I'll get there eventually."

The 26-year-old, who became a first-time mother in July, will undoubtedly have to make sacrifices to return to the top, but her daughter Shai is inspiring Osaka to succeed.

"I'm always the type of person that would rather set really high goals and maybe I'll do only 25 percent of that but the 25 percent is still really amazing," Osaka said.

"I don't think that I'd have come back and be like, ‘Oh my goal is to get to the quarter-final of a slam’, which is still really good, but that's not why I'm spending time away from Shai."

Osaka, who plans to play tournaments in Dubai, Indian Wells, Miami, and Charleston to regain her rhythm, said becoming a mother has given her a fresh perspective.

"I really think having Shai balanced me out a lot," she said. "It feels nice to know that no matter what happens, someone's going to be there that loves you and cares about you."

"Of course I'm not saying she's the only person. But for some reason she's the only one that I think about."

On Tuesday, Osaka will face 71st-ranked American and 2022 Australian Open finalist Danielle Collins, 30, in the Abu Dhabi Open's round of 32.

SportsLigue