‘There Were Days Where I Didn’t Even See Her’- Naomi Osaka Dwells Upon Mother’s Unconditional Sacrifice to Make Her Play a Rich Sport

Naomi Osaka, the Japanese tennis ace, is one of the most celebrated entities in the sport. She has contributed a lot both in terms of records and the betterment of the situation of professionals. She openly advocated the importance of mental health in an otherwise stern and result-oriented sport. Thus proving that she isn’t here to be a part of the herd and will work on her own accord.

The credit for the development of Osaka’s strong stand goes to her mother. Her mother was the person who inspired her and showed her the real power of women. In fact, her dedication and determination to fulfill every need of her family fueled Osaka’s career.

Naomi Osaka about her mother’s sacrifices

Osaka recently, in an interview, when asked about the moment that will always be precious to her, mentioned the relief that she felt after making it big in tennis. The 25-year-old was happy that her mother could finally rest her hands. “When I was younger. She couldn’t come to any of my matches and practices because she was the one providing,” she explained.

Thereafter, Osaka added, “she was the one working because tennis isn’t a cheap sport so. She would literally work all the time and there were days I didn’t see her. Because she would go to work so early and come back so late and I knew that one of my main goals was to be able to make it so that my mom doesn’t have to work this hard.”

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The former World No 1, born in Osaka, took her mother’s last name and traveled to America at the age of three. While her father, inspired by Serena and Venus Williams’ father Richard Williams, nudged her towards tennis, her mother Tamaki Osaka worked hard to keep up with the expenses of the sport.

Osaka made her professional debut in 2013 and clinched her first Grand Slam in 2018. She defeated the 23 times Grand Slam champion, Serena Williams, to secure the title at the US Open. A year after that, she claimed the crown of World No 1 as well.

What is Osaka up to these days?

The four times Grand Slam champion has had a rough year. Her only noteworthy run came from the hard courts of the Miami Open. She successfully made up to the finals of the WTA 1000 tournament. Though the WTA No 1, Iga Swiatek, riding high on form and a monstrous winning streak, slipped her only title of the season.

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Osaka’s recent participation was in the Japan Open, where an abdominal injury made her withdraw her name. We hope she gets better by the time of the WTA Finals in order to defend her title against players such as Swiatek, Coco Gauff, and Ons Jabeur.