Naomi Osaka questioned her long-term tennis career late Sunday in Tokyo, stating that she would consider walking away from the sport entirely if her three-year-old daughter asks her to stop traveling. The four-time Grand Slam singles champion returned to the Women’s Tennis Association tour in 2023 following a 15-month break after the birth of her daughter, Shai. Now competing in the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo as the tournament’s seventh seed, the 29-year-old explained that motherhood has reshaped her perspective and daily priorities.
Shifting Priorities After Motherhood
Osaka, currently ranked No. 19 in the world, noted that tennis no longer consumes every waking hour of her life, a balance that has ultimately brought her a renewed sense of pride. Partically it’s not, but it’s not like I’m doing that all day, every day,
Osaka said regarding her routine. It’s hard sometimes, but when I look at the future, I think about how long I’ll play. If my daughter tells me she doesn’t want me to travel anymore, I’m not the type of person who would ignore that opinion.
The Japanese star previously stepped away from the sport in 2021 to prioritize her mental health. Reflecting on her current mindset, Osaka emphasized that her approach has evolved with age. My mindset changes a lot with age. My daughter is the biggest priority,
she said, adding that she aims to channel as much energy into tennis as possible while maintaining a healthy separation from the sport. When I look at it from different angles, I’m proud of myself right now, because I’m not dedicating every moment to the sport.
Osaka Supports Coco Gauff Against Racist Online Abuse
Alongside the challenges of balancing professional athletic duties with parenting, Osaka addressed the persistent issue of online harassment within professional tennis. She voiced direct support for American player Coco Gauff, who revealed earlier this month during the China Open that she had endured a staggering volume of racist abuse online. Gauff, ranked No. 5 globally, described the experience as somewhat draining due to her Black heritage.
Osaka, whose mother is Japanese and whose father is Haitian, stated plainly that no player should face such vitriol. You shouldn’t have to experience that,
Osaka said. It’s sad, but on my side, I’ve kind of gotten used to it. For me, I’ve always experienced things like that through every decision. It’s difficult.
Osaka also criticized the WTA's measures to police and prevent social media abuse, describing them as seemingly ineffective. Some people say if you care about it, you should just delete your social media, but sometimes it’s the best way to connect with fans,
Osaka noted. From my side, I basically don’t use social media.
Osaka Faces Jasmine Paolini in Tokyo Opening Match
On the court, Osaka prepares to face Italy’s Jasmine Paolini in the first round of the Tokyo tournament. The singles draw also features world No. 1 Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan and the Philippines’ Alexandra Eala. Looking ahead beyond the hard courts of the Japanese capital, Osaka expressed optimism regarding her trajectory on the tour. Being back to my best is not far away,
Osaka said. I’m optimistic for next year.
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