Osaka returns to BJK Cup duty with hopeful eye on Olympic Games

Naomi Osaka is set to make her long-awaited return to the BJK Cup after a four-year hiatus this Friday, as she aims to qualify for the Olympic Games.

The Japan squad to face Kazakhstan in Tokyo has included the former world number one and four-time major winner.

This marks her first appearance in the team competition since February 2020, indicating that she has not fulfilled the requirement of participating in two ties within one Olympic cycle.

In order to secure a place in the Japan team for the Paris Olympics, she will need to go through the appeals process, as stated by a spokesperson for the International Tennis Federation (ITF) to AFP.

However, it is worth noting that the ITF reserves a spot in each singles draw at the Games for a Grand Slam title winner.

Osaka took a break from the tour from September 2022 until January this year due to the birth of her first child.

Despite starting the Australian Open with a low ranking of 831, she has made significant progress, reaching the quarter-finals in Qatar and achieving back-to-back third round appearances at Indian Wells and Miami. As a result, she is now ranked just inside the top 200 and holds the fourth position in Japan.

It is important to mention that the singles event at the Olympics allows a maximum of 64 players, with a limit of four participants from each nation.

Osaka participated in the Olympics by lighting the cauldron at the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Games in 2021 and later reached the third round. This appearance followed her withdrawal from the French Open at Roland Garros due to mental health concerns.

The tie between Japan and Kazakhstan will be held at Tokyo's Ariake Coliseum, the same venue that hosted the 2021 Olympic tournament.

Japan captain Ai Sugiyama expressed her happiness at Osaka's desire to play in the upcoming matches this weekend.

In addition to the BJK Cup qualifying ties happening this week, the winners will progress to the 12-team finals in November, where they will compete alongside Spain, Canada, Italy, and the Czech Republic.

Poland, led by world number one Iga Swiatek, will face Switzerland in Biel. Swiatek returns to the squad after guiding Poland to a 4-0 victory against Romania during the 2022 qualifiers.

The United States, with Jessica Pegula as their top player, will host Belgium in Orlando.

Meanwhile, Ukraine will play their home tie against Romania in Florida as they aim to qualify for the finals for the first time.