Naomi Osaka hopes travelling extra with daughter Shai may help her discover the work-life stability she is searching for.
The Japanese star forged doubt on her future in the game after dropping to Talia Gibson in her opening match on the Miami Open, saying: “I’m not going to stay on tour if I’m losing in the first round. I’d rather just be a great mom and be there for my daughter.”
Osaka subsequently took a month off and has returned to the tour on the Madrid Open with two-year-old Shai in tow and a extra constructive perspective.
“I was able to go home, pretty much be a mom,” mentioned the previous world primary.
“So I would take her to school, pick her up from school, and it was really cool. She’s here with me so just getting to see her face and going to practises and coming back, it’s been really special to me.
“I think her growing older and just being able to figure out her schedule, with school, it’s been really helpful, and I also just really love travelling with her, showing her the world and just exploring.
“She loves travel. She loves the airport, she loves aeroplanes.”
Osaka struggled for constant outcomes after coming again to the tour in the beginning of 2024 however appeared to have positioned herself as a possible grand slam champion once more when she reached the US Open semi-finals final summer time.
However, she has not been ready to kick on from there, with recurrent belly issues inflicting irritating hiatuses.
Osaka is assured she has the precise strategy on clay, although, saying after beating Camila Osorio 6-2 7-5 in her opening match in Madrid: “I think, for me, on clay, I have one goal, which is to go out on my own terms.
“I did OK in Australia, was doing OK in Indian Wells. I played (Aryna) Sabalenka. I think from there I learned a lesson of just trying to be more aggressive, and I’m trying to implement it here.”
Osaka has made extra headlines for her outfits than her tennis this season, with Australia’s extravagant jellyfish-inspired look adopted by a leopard-print costume at Indian Wells.
In the Spanish capital, she paired an orange costume with a patterned scarf, describing it as a “nod to European summers”.
“I know it’s weird to say it was a little simple for me given all the extraness that I’ve been doing recently, but I think it’s a really elegant look, and I’m excited because there’s different themes and stuff to do in Rome, so I’ll just keep trying to switch it up a little,” added Osaka.
