Naomi Osaka has shared her struggles with returning to tennis after giving birth in July last year. The four-time Grand Slam champion has been open about the challenges she faces on and off the court, particularly regarding the physical demands of professional tennis following her pregnancy.
After failing to make the main draw of the Cincinnati Open, Osaka expressed her deep concerns about feeling disconnected from her body on the court. She spoke candidly about missing shots and experiencing unfamiliar softness in her strokes, likening it to a postpartum identity shift that many women go through.
Despite these challenges, Osaka remains determined to persevere and give her best effort, inspired by the values she wants to instill in her daughter. She recognizes that every woman’s journey is unique and that expectations should be tempered with realism.
Since her return to the tour in 2024, Osaka has faced mixed results, including disappointing early exits in Grand Slams and the Olympic Games. Despite her internal struggles, she is focused on preparing for the US Open and sees these challenges as part of a temporary phase influenced by transitioning between different court surfaces.
