‘Drinks a Lot of Milk’ – Endearing Confession From Naomi Osaka’s Mother as She Draws Beautiful Parallels Between Daughter and Newly-Born Grandchild

In the warm embrace of a Los Angeles summer, the world bore witness to a beautiful moment this July. A pair of wide, curious eyes blinked at the world for the first time, echoing the past and foreshadowing the future. As Naomi Osaka cradled her newborn daughter, the echoes of her own infancy reverberated through the room, shared and celebrated by the grandma, Tamaki, Osaka’s mother.

As the tennis champion cradled her newborn daughter in her arms, memories came flooding back for Tamaki, who couldn’t help but draw parallels to the day she brought Naomi into the world 25 years ago.

A generational connection between Osaka and her daughter, Shai

In the interview, Tamaki couldn’t help but draw parallels between her daughter’s and granddaughter’s eyes. “Her wide eyes are very similar to Naomi’s,” Tamaki said, a twinkle of delight in her voice, noting the resemblance between her grandchild’s gaze and that of her now-renowned tennis star daughter, Naomi. “She’s also like Naomi in that she drinks a lot of milk and then sleeps soundly,” Tamaki further added

Reflecting on Naomi’s own early days, Tamaki reminisced about the modest apartment they once called home in Nishi Ward, Osaka. A two-room haven that nurtured the budding dreams of the young Osaka sisters, Naomi and Mari, it was a place where they found the resilience to flourish. Their father, Leonard Maxime Francois, affectionately known as “Max,” shared in the journey of parenthood. This entire interaction came from an exclusive interview with Tamaki for Japan Times.

Max, Naomi’s father, is Haitian-American. At the start, Tamaki’s dad wasn’t thrilled about her relationship with Max, but love, as they say, often has its own plans. Seeking her own path, Tamaki left her parents’ Hokkaido house in 1995 with just a single bag.

Naomi Osaka’s journey from modest beginnings to tennis superstar

Speaking of Osaka’s past, Tamaki opened up about Osaka’s childhood. “Naomi was an independent toddler,” Tamaki recalled, a hint of pride in her voice. She further added, “I’d place a bowl of udon noodles and pumpkin pieces in front of her walking chair, and she’d feed herself. That gave me the freedom to manage other household tasks.” A glimpse into the past reveals the resourcefulness born of necessity, where every moment counted in a life that stretched them thin financially.

ALSO READ: Just 9 Days After Giving Birth, Tennis Mom Naomi Osaka Shows True Intentions as She Aims to Emulate Idol Serena Williams’ Massive Comeback Feat

Fast forward to today, and Naomi’s a tennis superstar. And now, as she holds her own baby in her arms, you can feel the circle of life coming full circle. It’s like a heartwarming movie, only it is real life. This July, we celebrated not just a new baby in the world but the timeless bonds that connect us, from one generation to the next.

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