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She didnt quite anticipate the delivery ofher daughter, Shai, in July 2023, being one of them.
Naomi Osaka | Bobbie
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Its an intimate anecdote for someone as famously private as Osaka to share.
The birth of Shai was marked by three generations of Osaka women side by side.
Naomi Osaka at the Brisbane International on the day of her first match postpartum, January 1, 2024.
Motherhood, Osaka says, has profoundly transformed her.
Yes, there was painher childbirth and postpartum was hard.
And yes, she had to relearn herself: I can put my foot down a lot more now.
Naomi Osaka is advocating for paid leave for all.
I just dont really care about other peoples opinions anymore.
I feel so strong, she says.
People talk about childbirth, but its different once you experience it.
Osaka photographed in Australia earlier this month.
I just dont really care about other peoples opinions anymore.
In her universe mothers are driven, stronger for the challenges they have survived.
They are none of the negative stereotypes that sometimes follow women around postpartum or into the workplace.
They can put a child at the center of their world and yet still be a world-class champion.
Osaka is about to put that theory to the test.
While she lost her second, the tennis great isnt deterred.
Naomi Osaka at the Brisbane International on the day of her first match postpartum, January 1, 2024.
This newfound confidence, and perhaps even happiness, on and off court is a marked departure for Osaka.
But today very little is off-limits.
And I dont know when it happened, but I just started wanting to do things for myself.
Its a growing-up moment.
Even from last year to this year, I feel like a completely different person.
In 2024, Osaka is standing up for new parents.
When I heard the stats, I was really shocked, Osaka tells me.
Having a baby completely destroys your pelvic floor.
Osaka is well aware of the privilege she has when it comes to making choices.
The choice she made, for example, not to breastfeed Shai.
I was thinking to myself, This might not be the path for me.
Second, the choice she made to start training again 15 days after giving birth.
I find it wild because Ive been physically training since I was seven years old.
So, for me, its so natural."
Parenthood, Osaka explains, has given her that.
Moms are expected to do everything and to know everything.
Osaka photographed in Australia earlier this month.
Still, her postpartum was hard.
And while she did return to training early, it was also necessary.
Yes, even four-time Grand Slam tennis champions.
Having a baby completely destroys your pelvic floor, Osaka says.
I was shocked, because I couldnt get up out of my bed.
And I learned that thats totally not what youre supposed to do.
Youre supposed to do deep pelvic-floor work.
I did have a really great team around me that gave me a lot of information, she acknowledges.
But, she notes, I feel like thats something that not a lot of people have access to.
I felt like I was stepping into the unknown.
I was extremely nervous, Osaka admits.
I guess the biggest elephant in the room is Nike, but theyve been so extremely helpful.
It was really nice to be thought about.
Its a change shes still grappling with.
It seems so far apart from being a mom when I walk on the court, she says.
