Naomi Osaka Nears Best Form Yet Weighs Retirement and Motherhood
Former world number one Naomi Osaka eyes a return to peak tennis form ahead of the Pan Pacific Open while openly pondering her career and retirement.
POLICY WIRE — Tokyo, Japan — Former world number one Naomi Osaka revealed she is nearing the competitive level that earned her four Grand Slam championships, though she admits to contemplating retirement and her long-term future in tennis.
The 29-year-old athlete from Japan previously took a 15-month break following the birth of her daughter before returning to the sport in 2024, and she is now set to compete at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo next week as the seventh seed.
It is tough, Osaka told reporters on Sunday, adding that she sometimes looks toward her future and wonders how long she is going to play.
She emphasized that family priorities would dictate her longevity on the court, noting that if her daughter expressed a desire for her to travel less, she would not ignore that request.
Currently positioned 19th in the global rankings, Osaka has exhibited promising indicators of resurgence during the current season by advancing to the Wimbledon quarter-finals after defeating top seed Aryna Sabalenka.
Her recent major runs also include reaching the last 16 at both the French Open and the US Open, alongside a semi-final appearance in Washington and a quarter-final finish in Toronto.
Expressing optimism about her competitive trajectory, Osaka stated that she genuinely does not feel like she is that far off from contending for titles again.
She added that she has constructed a solid foundation and remains enthusiastic about continuing her learning process and advancing further in upcoming tournaments.
As she kicks off her Tokyo campaign against Italy’s Jasmine Paolini, Osaka joins a prominent tournament lineup that also features world number one Elena Rybakina and Alex Eala of the Philippines.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
