‘Like a kid again’: How Osaka rediscovered love for tennis after childbirth

Naomi Osaka nearly completely walked away from tennis 15 months ago. But now, after giving birth to daughter Shai, she’s rediscovered her love of tennis and has learned to appreciate the sport.

Japan's Naomi Osaka visits Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary ahead of the Brisbane International tennis tournament in Brisbane on December 29, 2023. (Photo by Patrick HAMILTON / AFP) / — IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE —

Naomi Osaka has revealed she briefly considered walking away from tennis after her last tournament in Tokyo 15 months ago.

But having rediscovered her love for the sport and with a new outlook on life following the birth of daughter Shai, Osaka is looking forward to rejoining the tour and forming the type of relationships she once avoided.

“Right after Tokyo, for like a month maybe, I was thinking about it because I felt

like all my joy went away for the sport,” Osaka said of the last tournament she played, the Pan Pacific Open, in September 2022, from which she withdrew with illness.

“I felt like it kind of wasn’t fair, both for the people watching and myself.

“But then I thought, I’ve played tennis since I was three and there’s so many more things that I want to do (in the sport).

Japan’s Naomi Osaka at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary ahead of the Brisbane International tennis tournament. Picture: Patrick Hamilton / AFP.-

“Also, just learning how to appreciate the sport. I think in the time I had away, I appreciated the sport a lot more.

“After giving birth, I understood how physical [it is] and how much work it takes to get there.”

Osaka is ready to rejoin the tour not just physically but mentally, crediting becoming a mother for changing her perspective on life – and tennis.

“Becoming a mum changed my mindset a lot,” she said.

“I think I’m a lot more open-minded, a lot more patient … I think Shai definitely helped me with the way I view things.

“It’s just really nice to see everyone again.”

Osaka conceded she hadn’t always felt that way about seeing competitors.

“I’m excited to be back. I haven’t worn headphones around the site since I’ve been back, so I think that’s character development,” she said.

“I also feel like I’m more confident with who I am as a person.

“I never tried have conversations with other players before and I think I definitely put a large wall up.

“Now I find myself interacting with people.”

Osaka’s absence from tennis certainly made her heart grow fonder for the sport – although, she realised it’s a love she always had.

It’s just that playing and constantly travelling had become more of a chore, and winning, a relief rather than a joy.

Naomi Osaka attends a press conference ahead of the Brisbane International tennis tournament in Brisbane. Picture: Patrick Hamilton / AFP)

“I’m not going to sit here and say that I’ve never loved tennis – of course I loved it,” she said.

“I think after a certain point, I just felt more relieved to win, if that makes sense.

“It was a little hard dealing with that. Instead of being happy to win, I felt more relief.”

Watching on, she became a fan of the game again.

So much so that she was out on court practising drop shots after watching Carlos Alcaraz in action at Wimbledon, finding the pure joy she once had for the game.

“I guess in a way (it was like) being a kid again, being inspired by other players, wanting to play on the big courts.”

Having rediscovered that love, Osaka returns to tour for herself – but also for her daughter.

“Especially with Shai, I want her to see someone that has big goals and dreams,” she said.

“I think that’s really important to have really good role models.”

All that remains now is actually getting back on court.

That will happen on Monday, when Osaka takes on Germany’s world no. 84 Tamara Korpatsch.

“Definitely I’m nervous, I haven’t played a match in a long time, but I’m competitive so I’m thinking I’m nervous and I want to win,” she said.

“There’s a lot of things that are going on in my head.

“I think the biggest thing is just walking onto the court and absorbing all the energy and experiencing the atmosphere, for me, it’s something that I’m definitely going

to treasure a lot.”

Originally published as ‘Like a kid again’: How Osaka rediscovered love for tennis after childbirth