Naomi Osaka says motherhood comes first
Naomi Osaka said before the 2026 U.S. Open that people sometimes forget her main job is being a mother. The four-time Grand Slam champion described professional tennis as side work.
Her comment focused on daughter Shai, who turned three in July. Osaka explained that motherhood remains her greater priority while competing at one of tennis’s biggest events in New York.
Naomi Osaka spoke before U.S. Open
Naomi Osaka made the comments on August 29 before beginning her 2026 U.S. Open campaign. She described tennis as a side hustle while explaining that motherhood has become her central priority.
Her tournament began on August 31 and ended on September 7 against Elena Rybakina. The No. 2 seed defeated Osaka 6-1, 6-4 in the fourth round.
Naomi Osaka reaches fourth round again
Osaka reached the U.S. Open fourth round for a second consecutive year. She entered as the No. 13 seed after reaching the 2025 semifinals, her deepest finish at the tournament since winning the 2020 title.
Her 2026 campaign ended against No. 2 seed Elena Rybakina, who won 6-1, 6-4. The fourth-round result stopped Osaka one victory short of reaching the quarterfinals in New York.
Naomi Osaka wins tight opening match
Osaka opened by defeating Anastasia Zakharova in two tiebreak sets inside Arthur Ashe Stadium. The 7-6(6), 7-6(3) victory moved the two-time U.S. Open champion safely into round two there overall.
Osaka entered as the No. 13 seed, while Zakharova was ranked No. 101. She said she felt rusty after Toronto and acknowledged nerves before her opening match in New York.
Naomi Osaka survives second round test
Osaka needed three sets against Katerina Siniakova in the second round. She won 6-2, 5-7, 6-1 after surrendering a 4-2 advantage during the second set inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Osaka regrouped before the deciding set. She finished with 31 winners and 29 unforced errors, then said she focused on fighting as hard as possible and competing without any regrets.
Naomi Osaka advances after long battle
Osaka defeated Elise Mertens in a two-hour, 38-minute third-round match. She won 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 after receiving treatment for a lingering left Achilles issue.
The victory sent Osaka into the U.S. Open second week for the fifth time in 10 main-draw appearances. She converted her fourth match point at 6-5 in the deciding set.
Naomi Osaka manages Achilles issue
Osaka explained that a persistent left Achilles issue had been bothering her at the U.S. Open. She said the problem had been manageable but remained an issue during her run in New York.
The issue followed a separate right foot problem at Bad Homburg in June. Osaka retired from that final after reaching the first WTA Tour grass final of her career.
Naomi Osaka posts stronger major results
Osaka reached the third round at the Australian Open, fourth round at Roland Garros, and quarterfinals at Wimbledon before arriving in New York for the final major of the season.
Her Wimbledon run included a 6-2, 7-6(2) victory over world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka. Karolina Muchova then ended Osaka’s tournament in the quarterfinals with a 7-6(4), 6-4 victory.
Naomi Osaka holds No. 13 ranking
Osaka was ranked No. 13 in singles in the latest WTA data available after the 2026 U.S. Open. Her 2026 record stood at 25-10, while year-to-date prize money totaled $2,009,474.
The ranking continued Osaka’s rise after maternity leave. She returned to competition in January 2024 following a 15-month absence and moved back into the Top 20 after her 2025 semifinal run.
Naomi Osaka owns four major titles
Osaka has won four Grand Slam singles titles, split between New York and Melbourne. She captured the U.S. Open in 2018 and 2020, then won the Australian Open in 2019 and 2021.
Her 2021 Australian Open victory made Osaka the first woman since Monica Seles to win her first four Grand Slam finals, placing her among 16 Open Era women to have won four or more majors.
Fun fact: Osaka once said baguettes distracted her during a U.S. Open interview. Even Grand Slam champions can apparently lose focus when bread enters the conversation.
Naomi Osaka reached world No. 1
Osaka became the first Japanese player to reach world No. 1 after winning the 2019 Australian Open. Her four major titles and seven WTA singles trophies anchor her professional record.
Her other WTA titles include Indian Wells, Beijing, and Osaka. The 2026 Bad Homburg run also marked her first tour-level grass final, expanding a career built mainly on hard-court success.
Naomi Osaka returned after motherhood
Osaka gave birth to daughter Shai in July 2023 and returned to tour competition in January 2024. Her comeback began in Brisbane before she resumed Grand Slam play in Australia.
She has connected her return to motherhood in interviews. Osaka said she wanted Shai to watch her compete and hoped to become a more thoughtful player rather than relying on instinct.
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Naomi Osaka balances rest and family time
Osaka withdrew from the 2026 Cincinnati Open in August, officially citing fatigue after competing in Washington and Toronto. Before the U.S. Open, she also emphasized spending time with her daughter.
Shai had turned three in July. Osaka said her daughter was not yet playing on a full tennis court but enjoyed swinging a small racquet, linking family life with tennis.
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Naomi Osaka says motherhood is her main job while tennis is her “side hustle.” Do you think becoming a parent can change how elite athletes handle pressure and success? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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