The walls are down and Naomi Osaka is all ears as the new mum brings a fresh perspective to her tennis return.
The former world No.1 and four-time major champion will begin her comeback at the Brisbane International, drawn to face Germany's Tamara Korpatsch likely on Monday.
Potential examinations against Karolina Pliskova, Jelena Ostapenko and Victoria Azarenka await on Pat Rafter Arena if the Japanese star can negotiate her first match since September 2022.
Osaka said she contemplated retirement after withdrawing from that Tokyo tournament, but quickly grew to miss the sport.
"All my joy went away," the 26-year-old told reporters in Brisbane.
"I felt like it kind of wasn't fair, both for the people watching and myself.
"But then I thought, like, I've played tennis since I was three and there's so many more things that I want to do.
"Especially with (daughter) Shai, I want her to see someone that has big goals and dreams.
"I think that's really important to have really good role models."
Famously reserved, Osaka said motherhood had given her greater physical strength but also developed her character.
"I'm a lot more open-minded, a lot more patient," she said.
"I'm excited to be back. I haven't worn headphones around the site since I've been back.
"I never tried having conversations with other players before, and I think I definitely put a large wall up.
"Now I find myself interacting with people. It's just really cool."
Buoyed by her level at training, Osaka is hesitant to rate her form until she plays a fully-fledged match.
She's mainly just excited to soak up the atmosphere after a year spent "being a little kid again" and is sourcing inspiration from her tour companions.
"I'm not going to sit here and say that I've never loved tennis - of course I loved it," she said.
"After a certain point, I just felt more relieved to win.
"It was a little hard dealing with that.
"Just having this time away watching other players, appreciating them a lot.
"I remember watching Wimbledon, watching (men's world No.2 Carlos) Alcaraz practising dropshots, because I'm going to play dropshots like he does.
"Just being a kid again, being inspired by other players, wanting to play on the big courts."
