What Happened to Naomi Osaka?
Naomi Osaka is a Japanese professional tennis player, a four-time Grand Slam singles champion, and a former world No. 1. After stepping away from the sport in 2021 to prioritize her mental health and taking maternity leave in 2023, she made her return to the WTA Tour in 2024 and is actively competing in 2026, balancing her career with motherhood and continuing her advocacy for athlete well-being.
Quick Answer
Naomi Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, has successfully returned to professional tennis after taking a break for mental health in 2021 and maternity leave in 2023. She gave birth to her daughter, Shai, in July 2023 and resumed competition in January 2024. As of May 2026, Osaka is actively playing on the WTA Tour, with a current singles ranking of No. 16, and recently reached the third round of the Madrid Open and the second round of the Italian Open, preparing for Roland Garros.
πKey Facts
π Complete Timeline15 events
Born in Osaka, Japan
Naomi Osaka was born in ChΕ«Ε-ku, Osaka, Japan, to a Haitian father and a Japanese mother.
Turned Professional
Osaka officially turned professional, beginning her career on the WTA Tour.
WTA Tour Debut
At age 16, Osaka made her WTA Tour debut at the Stanford Classic, defeating former US Open champion Samantha Stosur.
First WTA Tour Title at Indian Wells
Osaka won her first WTA Tour title at the Indian Wells Open, defeating Daria Kasatkina in the final.
First Grand Slam Title at US Open
She defeated Serena Williams in the final of the US Open, becoming the first Japanese player to win a Grand Slam singles title.
Australian Open Champion & World No. 1
Osaka won her second consecutive Grand Slam title at the Australian Open and subsequently became the world No. 1, the first Asian player to achieve this ranking.
Fourth Grand Slam Title at Australian Open
Osaka secured her fourth major title by winning the Australian Open for the second time.
Withdraws from French Open, Citing Mental Health
Osaka withdrew from the French Open, revealing her struggles with depression and anxiety, sparking a global conversation about athlete mental health.
Announces Pregnancy and Hiatus
Osaka announced she was pregnant and would be taking a break from professional tennis for the 2023 season.
Gives Birth to Daughter, Shai
Osaka welcomed her first child, a daughter named Shai, with rapper Cordae.
Returns to Competition at Brisbane International
After over 15 months away, Osaka made her highly anticipated return to the WTA Tour at the Brisbane International.
Reaches US Open Semifinals
Osaka reached the semifinals of the US Open, her first Grand Slam semifinal appearance in over four years, signaling a strong resurgence.
Withdraws from Australian Open 3rd Round
After winning her first-round match, Osaka withdrew from the Australian Open before her third-round match due to a recurring left abdominal strain.
Italian Open Second Round Exit
Osaka was defeated by world No. 1 Iga Swiatek in the second round of the Italian Open, following a third-round appearance at the Madrid Open.
Preparing for Roland Garros
As of late May 2026, Osaka is actively preparing for the French Open (Roland Garros), aiming to improve her performance on clay courts.
πDeep Dive Analysis
Naomi Osaka burst onto the international tennis scene with a powerful game and quickly rose to prominence, becoming the first Asian player to achieve the world No. 1 ranking in singles. Her breakthrough came with her victory at the 2018 US Open, where she defeated her idol Serena Williams in a highly publicized final. This was followed by another Grand Slam title at the 2019 Australian Open, solidifying her status as a dominant force in women's tennis. She continued her Grand Slam success, winning the US Open again in 2020 and the Australian Open in 2021, bringing her total major titles to four.
A significant turning point in Osaka's career occurred in May 2021 when she withdrew from the French Open, citing mental health concerns and her reluctance to participate in mandatory press conferences. This decision sparked a global conversation about mental health in elite sports, with Osaka openly sharing her struggles with depression and anxiety since the 2018 US Open. She subsequently took extended breaks from the sport, including withdrawing from Wimbledon, to prioritize her well-being.
In January 2023, Osaka announced her pregnancy, taking a hiatus from the tour. She welcomed her daughter, Shai, in July 2023, a period she described as transformative, forcing her to view life and tennis differently. Her return to competition began in January 2024 at the Brisbane International, marking the start of her post-maternity comeback. The 2024 season was a period of readjustment, as she worked to regain her form and balance the demands of professional tennis with motherhood.
As of May 2026, Naomi Osaka is actively competing on the WTA Tour. She has been working with coach Tomasz Wiktorowski since late 2025, a partnership that has seen her improve her results. In the 2025 US Open, she reached her first Grand Slam semifinal in over four years. In early 2026, she participated in the Australian Open, where she won her first-round match, showcasing a unique jellyfish-inspired outfit, but later withdrew before her third-round match due to a left abdominal strain. She has since competed in WTA 1000 events in Madrid and Rome in April and May 2026, reaching the third round in Madrid and the second round in Rome, where she lost to world No. 1 Iga Swiatek. Osaka's current singles ranking is No. 16, and she is preparing for Roland Garros, aiming to improve her performance on clay courts. Her net worth is estimated at $45 million as of early 2026, driven by her tennis success and numerous high-value endorsements.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Naomi Osaka made different choices?