Naomi Osaka was courtside at the Lakers game this weekend, alongside fellow tennis player Nick Kyrgios as she made the most of her time away from the sport ahead of her much-anticipated return to tennis.

The 26-year-old Osaka was dressed all in black - including a black pair of sunglasses - while Australian Kyrgios turned up for the game wearing a pair of Lakers shorts and a baggy hoodie.

Osaka sat courtside for the game against the Houston Rockets on Saturday night and had one of the best seats in the house as LeBron James and his team recorded a 107-97 win. 

It comes as she prepares to make a welcome return to tennis next month, which will be just six months after giving birth to her daughter Shai. 

She confirmed in November that she will play the Brisbane international, which begins on December 31 and runs through to January 7.

It will pave the way for the four-time Major winner to then compete at the Australian Open in January, the first Major on the tennis calendar.

Osaka last played in September 2022 and has been open before about struggling with her mental health while trying to compete at the elite level of the sport.

But it seems a break has been just what she needed. She told Eurosport during the US Open in August: 'It really raised my love for the sport. It made me realize I'm not going to play forever. 

'I have to embrace the times. I've been playing tennis since I was three. 'I don't think I can predict what I'll do. 

'I never am able to do that, but it definitely made me appreciate a lot of things that I took for granted.'

She said of playing in Brisbane: 'I am really excited about getting back out on court and competing.

'I always love starting my season in Brisbane and can't wait to return. 

'The Brisbane International is such a great tournament and will set me up for a brilliant comeback this summer.'