Naomi Osaka, the former world No. 1 and four-time Grand Slam champion, has indicated she may reconsider her tennis career depending on the wishes of her young daughter. Osaka, who took a 15-month hiatus following the birth of her daughter Shai, returned to the sport in 2023 and is currently competing at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo.

The 29-year-old Japanese player, now ranked 19th globally, spoke candidly about how motherhood has shifted her priorities. “I wouldn’t say I’m part-timing it but my entire day doesn’t consist of that,” Osaka said, reflecting on the challenges of balancing professional tennis with parenthood. She acknowledged the uncertainty about the length of her career, noting that if her daughter were to express a desire for her to travel less, she would seriously consider that request. “I’m not the type of person to ignore that,” she added.

Osaka has previously stepped away from tennis to focus on her mental health, notably in 2021. She described how her mindset has evolved with time and experience. “My daughter is my biggest priority,” Osaka stated. Although she remains committed to the sport, she emphasized the difficulty in fully dedicating herself as she once did. “I try my best to put as much energy as I can into tennis,” she said, reflecting pride in her current position despite these new demands on her time.

Her comments highlight the ongoing challenges athletes face in balancing elite competition with personal life changes, particularly motherhood, and mental health considerations.