Former world number one Naomi Osaka is under no illusions as to the challenge that awaits her if she is to return to the upper echelons of women's tennis.
Naomi Osaka showed plenty of encouraging signs as she went down in two tight sets to Caroline Garcia on her return to the Australian Open stage.
While Naomi Osaka is a two-time Australian Open champion, she doesn't want to get ahead of herself in her grand slam return Down Under.
After extended breaks, several familiar faces will return to grand slam action at the Australian Open, starting Sunday.
Karolina Pliskova put an end to Naomi Osaka's long-awaited return in the second round of the Brisbane International on Wednesday.
Former world number one Naomi Osaka made a winning return to tennis when she eased past Germany's Tamara Korpatsch 6-3 7-6 in the first round of the Brisbane International on Monday.