Naomi Osaka recently opened up about her daughter Shai’s budding interest in tennis. The former World No. 1 shared that her one-year-old daughter has shown a lot of energy and enthusiasm for the sport. Osaka mentioned that she had bought a miniature tennis racket for Shai, and although the little one has taken well to it, she has yet to introduce her to formal on-court training.
Osaka, who gave birth to Shai in June 2023, has been balancing her professional tennis career with motherhood. She took a maternity break from September 2022 to January 2024, during which she faced several challenges, including an abdominal strain that affected her Australian Open campaign. Despite these setbacks, Osaka has remained positive and focused on her comeback, drawing motivation from her daughter.
In a recent interview, Osaka shared that Shai’s presence has been a source of joy and motivation for her. She recalled receiving a video of Shai before a big match, which made her happy and motivated, although she felt a bit frustrated for not performing better on the court. Osaka’s journey as a mother and a professional athlete has been inspiring, as she continues to navigate the challenges of both roles with grace and determination.
During an interview with the CNN she said: “She has a lot of energy, like a lot. I think she’d be a really good tennis player. She’s just the happiest girl. She has a miniature racket, so she does pick that up a lot, but I haven’t put her on a tennis court yet.”
Osaka’s openness about her experiences with motherhood and her daughter’s interest in tennis has resonated with many fans. Her ability to juggle her career and personal life serves as a testament to her resilience and dedication. As she continues to make strides in her professional career, it will be exciting to see how Shai’s interest in tennis develops and whether she follows in her mother’s footsteps.
Naomi Osaka in 2025
Now the world no.54, Naomi played her last match on the 17th of January when she had to retire when playing against world no.66 Belinda Bencic in the 3rd round and the scoreline was 7-6(3) .
Presently, during this year Osaka has achieved an overall 6-2 match record. Naomi Osaka’s best result of the present season was reaching the final in Auckland.