Naomi Osaka has found a new sense of balance in life, and tennis is no longer the only thing that defines her happiness. The four-time Grand Slam champion has spoken candidly about her mental health journey, revealing how becoming a mother has helped her see the sport differently. With her daughter, Shai, playing a central role in her life, Osaka is learning to value the moments she spends on the court without letting results dictate her happiness. Her latest admission offers a glimpse into the personal growth behind her return to competitive tennis.
Naomi Osaka credits motherhood for changing her mindset
Osaka shared her thoughts after beginning her China Open campaign with a hard-fought victory over Maria Timofeeva. The 12th seed won 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 to reach the next round, but her comments about life beyond tennis drew attention.Asked whether she felt happier despite not adding another Grand Slam title to her record in recent years, Osaka pointed to a change in priorities. Her daughter, Shai, has helped her build an identity that extends beyond her achievements as a professional athlete.”I mean, I think it’s all about mindset. I feel like I’m definitely happier now. It’s because, like, tennis isn’t my entire life. I’ve managed to build a life outside of that. My daughter’s a huge part of it. I feel like it’s also a part of growing up. I think I was very sheltered as a kid. I literally ate, slept, and breathed for tennis. Now it’s just like growing up being grateful to be able to play the sport, but understanding that nothing lasts forever. I’m just trying to do the best with the time that I have,” said Naomi Osaka.The Japanese star’s comments reflect a shift in how she measures success. Instead of allowing rankings and trophies to shape her entire outlook, she now places greater value on the life she has built away from competition.Her most recent Grand Slam triumph came at the 2021 Australian Open, where she defeated Jennifer Brady in the final. Since then, her journey has included challenges that extended far beyond tennis.
Naomi Osaka’s 2021 French Open withdrawal brought mental health into focus
Osaka’s decision to prioritise her wellbeing became a major talking point during the 2021 French Open. After skipping her first-round post-match press conference, she received a $15,000 fine and faced warnings about possible further penalties.On May 31, she withdrew from the tournament, explaining that she had experienced long periods of depression since her 2018 US Open victory. She also described the anxiety she felt before speaking publicly.”This isn’t a situation I ever imagined or intended when I posted a few days ago. I think now the best thing for the tournament, the other players and my wellbeing is that I withdraw so that everyone can get back to focusing on the tennis going on in Paris.”The truth is I have suffered long bouts of depression since the US Open in 2018 and I have had a really hard time coping with that. Though the tennis press has always been kind to me (and I want to apologise to all the cool journalists who I may have hurt), I am not a natural public speaker and get huge waves of anxiety before I speak to the world’s media,” wrote Naomi Osaka.She also explained why she had chosen to skip media appearances.”I get really nervous and find it stressful to always try to engage and give you the best answers I can. So here in Paris I was already feeling vulnerable and anxious, so I thought it was better to exercise self-care and skip the press conferences. I announced it preemptively because I do feel like the rules are quite outdated in parts and I wanted to highlight that.”Osaka later expressed her intention to work with the tour to improve the experience for players, journalists and fans.Her latest reflections show how her priorities have evolved since that difficult period. As she continues her China Open campaign, she will face Sara Bejlek in the round of 32, carrying a perspective shaped by both her career and motherhood.
AloJapan.com