Naomi Osaka has opened up about the challenges she faces on the Tour as a parent following her exit from the Miami Open.
The four-time Grand Slam champion was knocked out in the third round of the tournament on Saturday by Australian rising star Talia Gibson, who produced a 6-4, 7-5 triumph. Gibson also recently defeated top 10 player Jasmine Paolini en route to the quarter-finals in Indian Wells. Osaka was playing in only her third tournament of the season, with her win-loss record currently standing at 3-3.
Despite her success in the sport, the 28-year-old has been short of trophies in recent times. Last year, she won her only title at a WTA 125 event in France, as well as reaching the final of a WTA 250 in New Zealand and a WTA 1000 in America. Since the start of 2024, she has only recorded two wins over top-10 players, which were at the US Open.
Osaka now heads into the clay swing looking for a surge in form, whilst trying at the same time to look after her child, Shai, whom she gave birth to in July 2023. Speaking about her plans with reporters in Miami, she shed light on the challenges she faces as a mother.
“I feel like this also is a dilemma for me,” Osaka said.
“Obviously, I would love to play, but like I said last year … for me, my daughter is very important, and I want to be a mom. I want to be the best mom I can, but sometimes I feel like I know what I have to do to become a really good player, and it’s very difficult. I’m not going to play Charleston. I hope I can play Madrid, Rome and then obviously the French Open.”
The hunger is still there for Osaka and her goal to compete against the best. She is currently ranked 15th in the world. However, being a mother is her first priority.
“For me, like I said last year, I’m not going to stay on tour if I’m losing in the first round,” she continued.
“I’d rather just be a great mom and be there for my daughter. Because for me, I want to win titles and I want to be the best player I can, but if I have to sacrifice having a lot of time with my daughter, I’d rather not do it.”
So far in her career, Osaka has won seven WTA events and spent 25 weeks as world No.1. She is the first Japanese player to win a Grand Slam singles title and top the rankings.
Osaka’s 2026 results so far
Miami
R2: Loss to Talia Gibson 4-6, 5-7
R1: Bye
Indian Wells
R4: Loss to Aryna Sabalenka BLR – 2-6, 4-6
R3: Def Camila Osorio COL 6-1 3-6 6-1
R2: Def Victoria Jimenez Kasintseva AND 7-5 6-2
R1: Bye
Australian Open
R3: Loss to Maddison Inglis AUS WALKOVER
R2: Def Sorana Cirstea ROM 6-3, 4-6, 6-2
R1: Def Antonia Ruzic CRO 6-3, 3-6, 6-4
