Naomi Osaka Announces Pregnancy And Plans To Return To Tennis

Naomi Osaka has confirmed her pregnancy and said that she may resume her tennis career in 2019.

Osaka announced the news on Wednesday afternoon, along with a sonogram image and notes in Japanese and English.

Osaka added, “I know that I have so much to look forward to in the future, and one of the things I’m looking forward to is for my baby to watch one of my matches and tell someone, ‘that’s my mom.’ hehe.”

 

The 25-year-old tennis prodigy shot to fame after she shocked the tennis world by beating Serena Williams in the 2018 U.S. Open Final. In rapid succession, Osaka won the 2019 and 2021 Australian Opens, making her one of a select group of players to accomplish this feat.

Following her withdrawal from the 2021 French Open, however, the world’s highest-paid female athlete went public with her difficulties with mental health. Officials threatened to boot her from the event and penalised her $15,000 after she said she wouldn’t do the mandatory media appearances.

 

 

Osaka announced her retirement from tennis following her 2021 U.S. Open loss. Osaka has received widespread plaudits from many athletes for being honest about her own mental health issues.

Osaka said in a press conference, “I honestly don’t know when I’m going to play my next tennis match.” I need a break from playing for a time.

 

 

Osaka said on Monday that she would skip the 2023 Australian Open, so Wednesday’s news comes only days after that. However, Osaka revealed in the social media post that she plans to play in the 2024 Australian Open. Osaka hasn’t played a competitive match since the Toray Pan Pacific Open in September of last year, when she had to withdraw due to illness.

Osaka also discussed the break she has taken from tennis. Osaka declared the formation of her own sports agency in May. Osaka has also published a children’s book this past month.

 

 

Osaka wrote in a post on Wednesday that the months-long break gave her “a fresh passion and appreciation for the game I’ve committed my life to.”

Since 2019, Osaka has been dating Grammy-nominated rapper Cordae. In a 2021 GQ spread, the couple discussed their lengthy and fruitful relationship, recalling such highlights as their initial encounter at a Los Angeles Clippers game.

 

 

Osaka reflected on the encouragement she had from her boyfriend during her preparation for the 2020 U.S. Open, telling the magazine, “I feel like he actually really helped me win just, like, keeping up the motivation.”

“I don’t think there’s a completely correct road to take in life,” Osaka wrote on Wednesday, “but I always felt that if you move forward with good intentions you’ll find your way eventually.”