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Former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka has opened up about the possibility of stepping away from professional tennis, saying her daughter’s wishes would carry significant weight in deciding how long she continues to compete. Speaking in Tokyo ahead of the Pan Pacific Open, the four-time Grand Slam champion said she would not ignore it if her three-year-old daughter, Shai, asked her to travel less for the sport.
Osaka said she sometimes wonders how long she will continue playing, particularly as she considers the time spent away from her daughter while travelling on tour. “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,” she said, according to Agence France-Presse reporting carried by NDTV on October 25, 2026.
The Japanese star said her priorities have changed with age and that her daughter is her biggest priority. She also explained that tennis no longer occupies every part of her day, even though she continues to put as much energy as possible into her career. Osaka described balancing the responsibilities of a professional player and a mother as something she is working through gradually.
Osaka took a 15-month break from tennis after the birth of Shai before returning to the tour in 2023. She had also stepped away from the sport in 2021 to prioritise her mental health. Those experiences have helped shape how she approaches the demands of professional tennis and her life away from competition.
Despite her reflections about the future, Osaka is continuing to compete. She is in Tokyo for the Pan Pacific Open and was listed as the seventh seed in the report. Her first-round opponent is Italy’s Jasmine Paolini, while world No. 1 Elena Rybakina and Alexandra Eala are also part of the field, according to the same coverage.
Osaka said she was not far off rediscovering her best form and remained optimistic about the following year. Her comments did not amount to an announcement of retirement or a set date for leaving the tour. Instead, they highlighted the personal considerations that may influence her long-term decisions.
Osaka also spoke about online racist abuse after American player Coco Gauff described receiving a large volume of racist messages during the China Open. Osaka expressed support for Gauff and said no player should have to experience such treatment. She added that she was familiar with online abuse during her own career, including reactions to decisions she has made.
Osaka said she did not believe efforts to combat social-media abuse always worked fully. She acknowledged that social platforms can be an important way for athletes to connect with fans, but explained that she largely avoids them herself. Her comments underline a persistent challenge for professional athletes: online platforms can provide direct contact with supporters while also exposing players to harassment.
Osaka’s remarks reflect a wider question for athletes who are parents: how to balance the travel and training required at the highest level with time at home. The tennis calendar requires players to move between tournaments and countries, often spending extended periods away from family. Osaka did not say she had decided to retire, but made clear that her daughter’s needs would be an important consideration.
Her return to competition after maternity leave also means her current career has unfolded across different personal circumstances from those of her early Grand Slam years. Osaka is a four-time major champion and a former world No. 1, but she described her present approach as one in which tennis remains important without being the only priority in her life.
Osaka’s immediate focus is the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo, where she is scheduled to face Jasmine Paolini in the first round, according to the report. She has said she remains optimistic about her form next year. For now, her comments point to reflection rather than a formal retirement decision, with her competitive plans continuing in the near term.
This report is based on the Agence France-Presse story published by NDTV on October 25, 2026. Quotes and tournament details are attributed to that report; Osaka has not announced a retirement date in the cited coverage.
