Osaka could quit tennis if daughter asks her to

Former world number one Naomi Osaka has expressed her willingness to quit tennis if her three-year-old daughter asks her to. The four-time Grand Slam champion took a 15-month break from the sport after the birth of her daughter, Shai, and returned in 2023. Osaka, now ranked 19th in the world, stated that her entire day does not consist of tennis, and she often wonders how long she will continue playing.

She cited her daughter's future wishes as a factor that might influence her decision to retire. Osaka, who previously stepped away from tennis in 2021 to focus on her mental health, emphasized that her daughter is her top priority. The Japanese player, whose parents are from Japan and Haiti, expressed support for American tennis player Coco Gauff, who recently endured a significant amount of racist abuse on social media during the China Open.

Osaka acknowledged the challenges of balancing her roles as a player and a mother, stating that she is still figuring out how to navigate this new aspect of her life. She also criticized the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) for its efforts to combat online abuse, saying that they do not seem to be entirely effective. Despite these challenges, Osaka remains optimistic about her future in tennis and is seeded seventh for the upcoming Tokyo tournament, where she will face Italy's Jasmine Paolini in the first round.