Naomi Osaka’s desperate plea for help amid LA wildfires

As she attempts to rediscover her best on the court, Naomi Osaka needed help for her daughter during the devastating LA wildfires.

Naomi Osaka has a lot on her mind as she attempts to recapture the form that took her to four grand slam titles and No. 1 in the tennis world rankings.

The 27-year-old lives in Beverly Hills and while she has been in Auckland and now Melbourne preparing for a tilt at a third Australian Open crown, her mind has also been on the horrendous fires that have ravaged Los Angeles.

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The situation became extremely serious for Osaka when the fires came within reach of her house, so she asked a friend to grab a key possession while there was still time.

Osaka had her first child in July, 2023, a girl called Shai, and was desperate to retrieve her birth certificate.

“I was watching the fire map and the fire is like three blocks from my house,” Osaka said in her post-match interview following her first round 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 win over Caroline Garcia.

Watch Osaka discuss the fires in the video player above

Naomi Osaka ha spoken about the wildfires in Los Angeles. (Photo by MORGAN HANCOCK / TENNIS AUSTRALIA / AFP)

“So I had someone go and get my daughter’s birth certificate and all that because I didn’t know what would happen if that burned down.

“Sending all my love to LA. I know we hear about fires, but for me in particular, I didn’t know how devastating it could be.

“I just hope everyone’s doing well and I’m sending them all my love.”

Following her victory over Serena Williams in the 2018 US Open final, Osaka enjoyed a period of dominance in the women’s game, adding the 2019 and 2021 Australian Open titles to her collection, along with another US Open crown in 2020.

The Japanese superstar then battled injury and mental health issues before falling pregnant with her former partner, rapper Cordae, ahead of the 2023 Australian Open.

Osaka with her daughter Shai. Photos: Instagram

She has been trying to rediscover her best since returning to the circuit last year and Osaka showed encouraging signs after reaching the final at last week’s ASB Classic in Auckland.

Osaka conceded after her first-round win at Melbourne Park she has struggled at times to maintain her focus while the fires rage back home.

But she is also extremely motivated to extend her stay in Australia as long as possible.

“I’m a great multi-tasker. I do both, I’ll check with the wildfire map any chance that I get just to see what’s happening,” she told reporters.

“Also I had friends in LA but they’re safe.

“I also feel like it’s tough because I don’t think I’ll go back to LA immediately after.

“Like I don’t feel like it’s safe enough to go back there.

“It’s kind of a little bit in a limbo, but also motivating me to hopefully stay here as long as I can.”

Osaka is keeping a close eye on the awful situation at home in LA. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP)

Osaka could at least find a little humour when she was asked about her next opponent, Karolina Muchova.

The Czech star beat Osaka in their last meeting at the US Open en route to a semi-final appearance.

Osaka has embraced the challenge, however, along with a draw that has put the unseeded right-hander likely facing the likes of Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka if she is to go deep into the year’s opening grand slam.

“Obviously I fell a little short in the US Open, but my outfit was spectacular,” Osaka joked.

“But I’m hoping this time my tennis can shine a little bit better.

“And also, I love getting difficult draws, like I find that the most fun.

“It’s kind of like once you get a difficult draw, you can prove that you’re the best of the best.”

Osaka’s clash with Muchova is scheduled for 12.10pm AEDT on Wednesday on the Show Court Arena.

Originally published as Naomi Osaka’s desperate plea for help amid LA wildfires