Four-time grand slam champion Naomi Osaka has revealed how motherhood has profoundly reshaped her perspective on tennis and life, as she launches her 2026 campaign at the United Cup in Perth this weekend.
Perth Platform for a Powerful Season Start
The 28-year-old superstar will officially begin her Australian Open preparation on Friday night when Japan takes on Greece at RAC Arena. Osaka is guaranteed two high-calibre singles matches, first against Greece's former world no.3 Maria Sakkari, followed by a blockbuster showdown with British former US Open champion Emma Raducanu on Sunday.
Osaka believes the team event in Western Australia provides the perfect launchpad for her season. "I've always watched the United Cup on TV, and I've wanted to play for a long time," Osaka said. "Another important part is being able to play the best players in the world straight off the bat, which I think is a privilege."
Motherhood: A Career Evolution and a Balancing Act
Since returning from maternity leave in 2023 after the birth of her daughter, Shai, Osaka's career has undergone a significant evolution. She admits her mindset has shifted dramatically from the player who once let wins and losses define her self-worth.
"It's evolved my career just by shifting my mindset a lot," Osaka explained. "Now I'm just taking it, every day is like a new opportunity to do better. But at the same time, I know that my biggest role isn't a tennis player, it's to be a mum to my daughter."
However, the juggling act remains a challenge. "This off-season was quite difficult for me... you try to be there for her all the time, and obviously there are moments where you have to practice," she admitted. "But I hope that I'm managing it well, and I also hope there's going to come a time that she understands why I did the things I did."
Building on a Stellar 2025 Renaissance
Osaka's reflections come as she aims to build on a remarkable 2025 season that marked her true return to the sport's elite. After a tentative 2024 where she failed to progress beyond the second round of any grand slam and finished ranked 59th, she exploded back into form last year.
Her impressive 2025 resume included:
- Reaching the semifinals of the US Open.
- Knocking out women's world no.3 Coco Gauff at Flushing Meadows.
- Finishing as a finalist at both the Auckland and Canadian Opens.
- Ending the season ranked world no.16.
She is not alone in navigating a comeback after having a child. Switzerland's Belinda Bencic, also in Perth for the United Cup, surged from world no.913 to no.11 in 2024. "There are so many incredible mums on tour," Osaka noted, seeing Bencic's daughter courtside.
Now, with her family always in her thoughts, Osaka's focus is firmly on the court. "I've passed that point, and now I'm just going towards my next goal, which is obviously to do well in Australia, and then obviously the grand slams coming up," she stated.
Having won one grand slam title per year from 2018 to 2021—a haul that includes two Australian Open and two US Open trophies—the champion's sights are set on adding to that collection, starting with a powerful statement in Perth.
