Naomi Osaka Admits It's Hard to Balance the Roles of a Mother and a Professional Tennis Player
JAKARTA - Japanese tennis player Naomi Osaka admitted that it was difficult to balance the role as a mother and a professional tennis player.
However, during the holiday season at the end of the year, Osaka prioritized spending time with her daughter, Shai.
"It's obviously very difficult," Osaka said of finding that balance, quoted by the WTA, Friday.
After the 2025 season that saw Osaka rise from 57th to 16th in the world, the four-time Grand Slam champion learned more about the balance between off-season training and her role as a mother.
"This holiday season has also been quite difficult for me because you try to always be there for him. Obviously there are times when you have to train or have to do something. I hope I manage or balance it well."
Before the Japanese team's press conference at the United Cup in Perth, Osaka noticed Belinda Bencic of Switzerland with her one-year-old daughter on the field.
"I think it's really, really cute, and it reminds me of my daughter too," Osaka said.
Since giving birth in July 2023, Osaka has discussed how parenthood has changed her mindset on the court.
Previously, he said that he was pretty hard on himself, often defining himself based on wins and losses, but he had come to understand a broader perspective that helped him change his mindset in a positive way.
"It has developed my career I can by changing my mindset significantly," Osaka said.
"If you knew me before, I would take everything very seriously. I just think of every day as a new opportunity to do better. At the same time, I know that my biggest role is not as a tennis player, but as a mother to my daughter."
"I'm really happy that I was able to learn that, and I'm excited to see what else I can do," the 28-year-old said.
Playing in Group E which also includes Greece and England, Osaka will face Maria Sakkari on Friday (2/1) and Emma Raducanu on Sunday (4/1) in her first two singles matches in the 2026 season.