Naomi Osaka’s Journey into Motherhood
Naomi Osaka recently opened up about her transformative journey into motherhood and the impact it had on her life and career. The former world No. 1 in women’s tennis opted out of the entire 2023 season to dedicate herself to her new role as a mother to her daughter, Shai, which left fans and the tennis community missing her presence on the court.
Impact of Absence and Comeback
While the season featured remarkable moments, such as Coco Gauff’s first Grand Slam victory, Osaka’s absence was notably felt. She made her comeback to the WTA Tour in early 2024 after experiencing fluctuations in form during her two-year hiatus, at times grappling with emotions during press sessions following defeats.
Collaboration with Tomasz Wiktorowski
An important turning point in Osaka’s career came when Tomasz Wiktorowski, former coach to Iga Swiatek, began collaborating with her ahead of the Canadian Open. Since then, her performance has markedly improved, culminating in a runner-up finish against Victoria Mboko in Montreal and a semifinal berth at the US Open.
Insights on Self-Worth and Mental Health
In a candid conversation on the Tennis Insider Club Podcast with Caroline Garcia, Osaka shared insights into how her maternity break reshaped her understanding of self-worth. “Throughout my career, I occasionally took breaks, but my pregnancy break significantly changed my perspective. It was crucial for me, as I had to confront the notion that my identity was not solely tied to tennis victories. I often felt that my life lost meaning upon losing a match, leading me to recognize the need to step back and explore my broader potential,” she reflected.
Osaka had previously begun addressing her mental health struggles before her maternity leave, suggesting that her absence from competitive tennis provided a timely opportunity to focus on herself and her well-being. While managing her mental health remains an ongoing priority, she appears to be in a more content and stable state of mind, with a renewed emphasis on enjoying life beyond the court.
Looking Ahead
As fans speculate about the upcoming years, particularly 2026, many are optimistic about Osaka’s future potential following her recent successes under Wiktorowski’s mentorship. She came close to reaching the finals of the US Open, narrowly losing to Amanda Anisimova in a tiebreak. Her most recent Grand Slam title was at the Australian Open in 2021, with additional wins at the 2018 US Open, and the 2019 and 2020 Australian Opens.
Given her strengths on hard courts, the Melbourne and New York Grand Slams remain her best opportunities to claim a fifth Major title. Preparing thoroughly during the offseason will be crucial for Osaka as the next Australian Open approaches. Aryna Sabalenka is expected to be the frontrunner for the title if she maintains fitness, having reached the finals of every hard-court Grand Slam since the 2023 Australian Open and winning four out of six. Under the guidance of Wiktorowski, Osaka could emerge as a strong contender for the title, alongside Sabalenka.
