The short version
- Naomi Osaka states she is nearing the form that produced four Grand Slam titles, despite significant time away from professional competition.
- The Japanese star has returned to the top twenty of the world rankings after a hiatus for mental health and pregnancy.
- Osaka confirms she would quit tennis if her three-year-old daughter requested it, highlighting a shift in personal priorities.
Naomi Osaka is preparing to compete in the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo with a renewed sense of competitive readiness, though her long-term commitment to professional tennis remains conditional. The twenty-nine-year-old former world number one indicated that her current performance levels are approaching those seen during her initial rise to prominence between 2018 and 2021. During that period, she secured victories at both the Australian Open and the US Open twice, establishing herself as a dominant force in the sport before stepping away.
Her return to the tour has been marked by significant interruptions. Osaka took time off in 2021 to address mental health concerns and subsequently spent fifteen months away from competition after becoming pregnant. She resumed playing in 2023 following the birth of her daughter, Shai. Despite these extended breaks, she has managed to climb back into the top twenty of the world rankings, currently sitting at nineteenth place. This resurgence suggests that her foundational skills remain intact even after years of reduced activity.
Osaka has been candid about the internal conflict between her athletic ambitions and her role as a mother. She stated that while she is not treating tennis as a part-time endeavor, her daily life no longer revolves entirely around the sport. Her daughter is now her primary focus, and Osaka emphasized that she would not ignore a request from Shai to reduce travel or stop playing. This willingness to prioritize family over career longevity marks a distinct shift in her mindset compared to earlier years.
Recent tournament results provide evidence of her improved form. Earlier this year, Osaka defeated top seed Aryna Sabalenka to reach the quarter-finals at Wimbledon. She also finished as runner-up at the Bad Homburg grass-court event prior to the major. On hard courts, she advanced to the semi-finals in Washington and the quarter-finals in Toronto during the North American swing. Her run at the US Open ended only when she faced eventual champion Elena Rybakina in the round of sixteen.
The French Open also saw Osaka reach the last sixteen, demonstrating her ability to compete at a high level across different surfaces. She described her current state as one where she is relearning certain instincts that may have faded during her time away. Rather than viewing this as a loss of ability, she framed it as a process of rediscovery. She expressed pride in her current position, noting that achieving these results without dedicating every waking hour to training is a significant accomplishment.
Osaka’s confidence appears to be growing as she builds on a solid base of recent performances. She indicated excitement about the possibility of advancing further in tournaments and potentially winning titles again. Her comments suggest a belief that she is not far from regaining the peak form that defined her early career. This optimism is tempered by an awareness of the physical and mental demands required to sustain such performance levels over time.
The upcoming Pan Pacific Open presents an immediate test of her current capabilities. Osaka enters the tournament as the seventh seed, facing Italy’s Jasmine Paolini in the opening round. The draw places her on the opposite side from world number one Elena Rybakina, who arrives in Tokyo following a victory at the Ningbo Open in China. Rybakina defeated Leylah Fernandez in straight sets to claim her fourth title of the year.
The contrast between Osaka’s reflective approach and the relentless pursuit of titles by younger competitors highlights the evolving nature of her career. While she remains competitive, her definition of success has broadened to include personal fulfillment and family stability. The outcome of her matches in Tokyo may offer further insight into whether she can sustain this balance or if the pressures of elite competition will eventually lead to a permanent departure from the tour.
Osaka’s journey reflects broader trends in professional sports regarding athlete well-being and work-life integration. Her openness about mental health struggles and parental responsibilities has resonated with fans and peers alike. As she navigates this phase of her career, the tennis world watches to see how long she can maintain her high level of play while adhering to her new personal boundaries.
The significance of her current standing lies not just in her ranking but in the manner of her return. Overcoming substantial time away from competition to challenge for major titles again is a rare feat. Whether she continues to compete or decides to step back will depend largely on how her family dynamics evolve and how she perceives her own physical and mental limits moving forward.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- BBC Sport↗Osaka 'not far off' her best but often ponders future
