TOKYO — Former world number one Naomi Osaka cast doubt on her future Sunday saying she would consider quitting tennis if her three-year-old daughter asked her to.
The four-time Grand Slam champion from Japan took 15 months away from the sport after the birth of her daughter Shai, before returning in 2023.
She is in Tokyo to play at the Pan Pacific Open this week and said becoming a mother had reshaped her priorities.
“I wouldn’t say I’m part-timing it but my entire day doesn’t consist of that,” said the 29-year-old, now ranked 19 in the world.
“It’s tough, sometimes I look towards my future and I often wonder how long I’m going to play.
“Because if my daughter did say she didn’t want me to travel as much, I’m not the type of person to ignore that,” Osaka added according to AFP.
Osaka also stepped away from tennis in 2021 to prioritise her mental health.
She said her “mindset is changing a lot” with age.
“My daughter is my biggest priority,” she said.
“I try my best to put as much energy as I can into tennis.
“If I think about it in certain ways, I’m really proud of where I am now because it’s not like I can dedicate my entire time to the sport.”
