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Naomi Osaka (L) and her mom, Tamaki Osaka, attend the Osaka Foundation NYC Benefit at Le Rock on August 21, 2025 in New York City.
Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka is on a tear at the 2025 U.S. Open. After a dominant win against Coco Gauff, defeating the tournament’s No. 3 seed in a 6-3, 6-2 victory in just 64 minutes, she advanced to her first quarterfinal since 2021.
Osaka, ranked No. 23, showed no signs of slowing down against Karolina Muchova (No. 11) in the quarterfinals on September 3. She won in straight sets 6-4, 6-7 in just under two hours, punching her ticket to the semifinals, where she’ll face Amanda Anisimova (No. 8 seed) on Thursday, September 4.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday night, Osaka joked about organizers putting “the mom” in the final time slot on Thursday night. The 27-year-old welcomed a daughter named Shai in July 2023 with ex-boyfriend Cordae. “I’m really inspired by all the moms on tour,” she added.
“I also have this thing of feeling like I’m not doing good enough, or I’m being left behind. And when all the moms came back and they did well kind of off the bat, I sort of felt like there was something wrong with me… I felt like I was losing a race in a weird way.”
“I feel like a weight has been kind of lifted off my shoulders.” 🙌
Naomi Osaka on how other moms playing tennis inspired her during her journey to the US Open semifinal ❤️ pic.twitter.com/MY0cQ9wmJT
— espnW (@espnW) September 4, 2025
Now that she’s back in the semifinals for the first time since welcoming her daughter, “I feel a weight’s been lifted off my shoulders.”
During her exciting run at this year’s U.S.Open, Osaka’s mother, Tamaki Osaka, is at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center cheering her on. During her big win on Wednesday night, Tamaki’s emotional response captured the attention of fans.
Tamaki Osaka, Naomi Osaka’s Mother, Stole The Show At The U.S. Open
GettyNaomi Osaka with her mother, Tamaki Osaka (L), following practice at Wimbledon on June 27, 2024.
One person who intimately understands what the four-time Grand Slam champion has gone through since becoming a mom, her own mother. Tamaki is married to Osaka’s father, Leonard Fracis. They are also parents to Osaka’s older sister, Mari.
Following Osaka’s victory against Muchova, Tamaki immediately broke down in tears. The sweet moment was captured on camera.
Numerous fans shared in Tamaki’s emotions. One person posted the video on X and wrote of Osaka, “I’m so happy she’s getting her glow back.” One fan wrote, “The mothers are taking it this season.”
Osaka credits her parents for helping her become the tennis phenom that she is today. “I came from a mom that worked for basically my entire childhood to put me through tennis,” she told CBS News in May 2022.
“My dad, who was with me the entire time. And I knew that they had a really hard time. Tennis is an expensive sport. So, just to put two kids through that and just, I guess, believe in them so much is something that — I always call my parents a bit crazy.”
Naomi Osaka Admits ‘Being A Parent Is Hard’
After becoming a mom herself, she has even more appreciation for her parents. “Being a parent is hard,” she said, per The Bump in January 2024. “As a professional athlete, I am no stranger to hard work or early mornings, but the last six months as a new mom has given me a whole new appreciation and understanding of what parents do every single day.
“Parents, moms in particular, are historically told that babies will be a barrier to personal goals – that they will stop you from achieving your dreams. But I have discovered that Shai is my ultimate motivator; she makes me want to achieve greatness.”
Emily Bicks covers the NFL for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Bills, Seahawks and Chiefs. She’s contributed to Heavy since 2019 and has interviewed some of the biggest stars in sports, including Jerry Rice, Shaquille O’Neal and Stefon Diggs. More about Emily Bicks
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