Oct 25·Sports
Follow-up 2h ago2
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Naomi Osaka would quit tennis if daughter asked, she says
Naomi Osaka said she would quit tennis if her three-year-old daughter asked her to, reflecting how motherhood has reshaped her career priorities. Now ranked 19th globally, the four-time Grand Slam champion is competing at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo and expressed confidence she is close to her best form.
Quick Facts
- Osaka stated she would consider quitting tennis if her daughter asked
- Osaka returned to professional tennis in 2023 after 15-month break
- Osaka competed at Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo
- Osaka previously stepped away in 2021 for mental health
- Osaka expressed support for Coco Gauff regarding racist online abuse
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Naomi Osaka has stated she would consider quitting professional tennis if her three-year-old daughter, Shai, asked her to stop traveling for the sport. The 29-year-old Japanese former world number one made the comments while preparing for the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo on October 25, 2026. Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, took 15 months away from tennis following Shai's birth before returning to competition in 2023. She previously stepped away from the sport in 2021 to prioritize her mental health.
Osaka emphasized that her priorities have shifted since becoming a mother. "If my daughter did say she didn't want me to travel as much, I'm not the type of person to ignore that," she said. She acknowledged the difficulty of balancing professional tennis with motherhood, noting that her "mindset is changing a lot" with age and that her daughter is her "biggest priority." Despite these considerations, Osaka stressed she is not scaling back her commitment to tennis, saying "I wouldn't say I'm part-timing it, but my entire day doesn't consist of that."
Currently ranked 19th in the world and seeded seventh at the Pan Pacific Open, Osaka expressed confidence in her competitive trajectory. She described herself as "not far off" her best form and said she is "optimistic for next year," though she regularly reflects on how long she will continue playing. Osaka acknowledged the challenges of rebuilding certain instincts after her extended absence but indicated she has "built a pretty solid base" and is focused on continuing her tournament runs. She will face Italy's Jasmine Paolini in her opening match in Tokyo.
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Why This Matters
Osaka's statements reflect a measurable shift in professional athlete decision-making: a four-time Grand Slam champion now structures her competitive calendar around family preferences, which may signal broader patterns in how elite tennis players balance tournament schedules (requiring extended international travel) against parental responsibilities. Her current world ranking (19th) and seeding (7th at Pan Pacific Open) indicate her competitive level remains viable, but her publicly stated openness to retirement based on family input introduces uncertainty into her participation timeline—relevant for tournament organizers, sponsors, and tennis rankings projections.
Timeline & Sources
Jan 1, 2021
WireOsaka steps away from tennis to prioritize mental health
Oct 25, 2026
WireOsaka discusses her future in tennis and potential impact of daughter's wishes at Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo