Naomi Osaka to make WTA tennis return at Montreal ahead of US Open
Naomi Osaka will make her return to Naomi Osakaat the Montreal Open, a US Open lead-up event next month.
Osaka and World No.1 Ash Barty have been confirmed in a field that features some big names with 18 of the WTA's top 20 players set to to attend.
Organisers said Osaka, Wimbledon champion Barty, World No.3 Aryna Sabalenka, former winner Elina Svitolina and defending champion Bianca Andreescu are among those who have confirmed they will participate.
Naomi Osaka withdrew from Roland Garros. Getty
"We are delighted to welcome the likes of Ashleigh Barty, Naomi Osaka and Aryna Sabalenka, as well as Bianca Andreescu, who we know will get a reception for the ages from our passionate fans in Montreal," tournament director Eugene Lapierre said in a news release.
The tournament will be Osaka's first WTA event since withdrawing during the French Open due to mental health reasons.
Ash Barty holding the Venus Rosewater Dish in front of the London Eye after winning Wimbledon. Getty
The Japanese superstar will make her competitive return to tennis at the Tokyo Olympics, but Montreal will be her first WTA event after withdrawing from Wimbledon to focus on her mental health.
Tennis fans may get a gold medal match involving Barty and Osaka and there's no doubt the final in Montreal could end up the same way if both players are on opposite sides of the draw.
The 2020 edition of the Montreal Open was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Andreescu won the event two years ago when it was held in Toronto before going on to become Canada's first grand slam singles champion at that year's US Open.
