Former world number one Naomi Osaka admits she often ponders her future in professional tennis for her daughter.
Tennis star Naomi Osaka revealed that she often contemplates her future in the sport and would quit if her three-year-old daughter asked her to stop traveling.
The four-time Grand Slam champion is preparing for the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo, where she enters as the seventh seed and prepares to face Italy's Jasmine Paolini.
Despite taking extended career breaks for mental health and motherhood, Osaka believes she is not far off her best form, according to information published by BBC.
Balancing Motherhood and Professional Tennis
The 29-year-old Japanese athlete explained that her mindset has shifted significantly with age and the responsibilities of parenthood, making her daughter her biggest priority.
Osaka noted that while she pours energy into her training, her entire day no longer revolves around the sport, making her proud of competing at a high level.
She currently sits at 19th in the world rankings after making a notable return following a 15-month maternity leave after giving birth to her daughter, Shai.
Recent Grand Slam and Tournament Results
During the recent tennis calendar, Osaka reached the quarter-finals of Wimbledon after defeating top seed Aryna Sabalenka and finished runner-up in Bad Homburg.
She also advanced to the last 16 of both the French Open and the US Open, where her impressive run at Flushing Meadows ended against Elena Rybakina.
Additional strong performances included reaching the semi-finals in Washington and the quarter-finals during the Toronto hardcourt swing.
Chasing Past Form and Relearning Instincts
Assessing her competitive readiness, Osaka stated that she genuinely does not feel far off from capturing more major titles on the professional tour.
She described working to recover specific match instincts that she may have temporarily forgotten during her time away from elite competition.
Now competing in Tokyo, Osaka remains on the opposite side of the draw from Kazakhstan star Elena Rybakina, who recently won the Ningbo Open.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Naomi Osaka say about her future in tennis?
Naomi Osaka admitted that she often ponders her future in professional tennis and would quit the sport if her three-year-old daughter, Shai, asked her to stop traveling so much.
What is Naomi Osaka's current ranking and tournament status?
Naomi Osaka is ranked 19th in the world, plays as the seventh seed at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo, and faces Italy's Jasmine Paolini in the opening round.
How many Grand Slam titles has Naomi Osaka won?
Naomi Osaka has won four Grand Slam titles, claiming the US Open and Australian Open twice each between the years of 2018 and 2021.
