From Taylor Townsend to Victoria Azarenka, many WTA stars have embraced the treasured role of motherhood, cherishing every moment of it. Even tennis icon Serena Williams once beautifully reflected on its deeper meaning while talking about her elder daughter Olympia: “When I tell her she’s beautiful, I want to teach her that she’s beautiful from the inside.” But for Naomi Osaka, the journey of motherhood has been uniquely transformative. The Japanese ace, now navigating life as a mother on the WTA Tour, has opened up about the invaluable lessons she’s learned in the last year or so, from her daughter.

Rap star Cordae and 4-time GS winner Naomi Osaka first sparked romance in the summer of 2019, and by January 2023, the couple had an exciting announcement to share: They were expecting their first child. “Can’t wait to get back on the court, but here’s a little life update for 2023,” Osaka captioned a heartfelt IG post featuring a sonogram photo. In June 2023, the Japanese revealed it was going to be a baby girl as she celebrated with a dreamy princess-themed baby shower. Finally, on July 11, 2023, the couple welcomed their daughter, lovingly naming her Shai.

Though Naomi took a break from the 2023 tennis season, she never wavered in her commitment to return, setting her sights on the 2024 Brisbane Open. In the same post announcing her pregnancy, she reflected on life’s ups and downs, writing, “The past few years have been interesting, to say the least, but I find that it’s the most challenging times in life that may be the most fun.” And now, as Shai approaches her second birthday, Osaka continues to embrace motherhood’s lessons. Recently, the proud mom shared a special lesson that her daughter teaches her every single day. 

One of the tennis accounts on IG named Overtime Tennis shared a clip of Naomi Osaka talking to one of their respondents, Elaina Jowdy. When asked about what she recently learned from her daughter. Naomi said, “Something I recently learned from my daughter. Communication and Boundaries. She loves the word No. So I’ll ask her if she wants something, and she will say no. Do you want to go to here? No. Do you want some fruit? No. So she knows what she wants.”

Since her birth, Shai has been a constant source of joy for her mother. At times, she has even watched Osaka play from the sidelines. A heartwarming example came in 2024 when Naomi Osaka made her much-anticipated return to the BNP Paribas Open, her first time competing at the tournament since becoming a mother. Marking a special milestone, the Japanese brought Shai along for the very first time, making the short drive from their home in LA to what she affectionately calls her home tournament. It was a full-circle moment for her, blending motherhood with her passion for the game in the most beautiful way.

Even this season, before her pro-tour return, Naomi opened up about her daughter, saying, “She has a lot of energy, like a lot. I think she’d be a really good tennis player. She’s just the happiest girl. She has a miniature racket, so she does pick that up a lot, but I haven’t put her on a tennis court yet.”

However, despite embracing motherhood, Osaka has struggled to regain her former dominance on-court. Her latest setback came in the Indian Wells, where she faced yet another challenging outing.

“Like stopping, starting again” —Naomi Osaka after an early exit at the Indian Wells

Naomi Osaka may be on the road to recovery from the abdominal injury that forced her out of the AO in January, but sharpening her game and regaining her rhythm is proving to be tough for her. After returning to California, the former top seed put in two grueling weeks of training ahead of Indian Wells, with coach Patrick Mouratoglou declaring her “ready to go.” Physically, she might have been prepared, but on the court, it was a different story.

The four-time GS champion struggled in her opening match at the BNP Paribas Open, shockingly falling to Colombia’s Camila Osorio (6-4, 6-4) in straight sets. It was a disappointing performance, with Osaka later taking to social media to describe it as the “worst match I’ve ever played in my life.” However, right after the match, the Japanese star shared her thoughts, offering insight into her mindset.

“I don’t think I was too good on my end. I did well in Australia. It feels a little bit like stopping starting again. It feels like a bump in the road. I don’t feel like I played well at all, but I still feel like I had so many chances to be in the match,” Naomi stated after her exit from the Indian Wells. 

Osaka hit the courts at the Hard Rock Tennis Stadium on Wednesday, gearing up for the 2025 Miami Open. Will this be the tournament where she turns things around? What are your thoughts?