Naomi Osaka
Having recently become a mother, she spoke about her experiences over the past few years as her return to the WTA Tour approaches.
While away from the spotlight, the Japanese player has had a lot of time to reflect, think and grow. She became a mother and is now responsible not only for herself, but also for another person she brought into the world.
However, her pregnancy and labor didn't go as smoothly as she would have liked. During labor and delivery, Naomi Osaka faced a challenge that she opened up about in a recent interview with InStyle.
The four-time Grand Slam champion was not an athlete or a successful player at the time, but an ordinary person who brought another person to life, a challenge she faced as she had to give birth quickly because of complications.
"I remember how it felt at that moment, it was the worst pain of my life. I knew that if I got through it, then everything else would be easy.
Becoming a mother changes everything for professional athletes, but for others as well, which is why Naomi Osaka feels different when she brings her daughter home.
"It's life-changing in a day. From the moment you come home from the hospital, nothing is the same.
Becoming a parent made Osaka realize the struggles many new parents may face. She was able to choose when to return to tennis, but for many, returning to work needs to happen immediately because they have no choice.
"I was fortunate to have the support to return to work on my own terms, in my own time. Many American parents don't have that option, but we all deserve it. It certainly inspired me to speak out about the lack of paid leave and to be a voice for new moms in this country.
For Naomi Osaka, taking the time to go to the court was not only a necessary mental break, but it also gave her a lot of time to think about her life and career as a professional tennis player.
"I've been away from tennis before, but this time, this is the longest it's lasted in my life. I think it gave me the perspective that, hey, you're not going to play tennis forever.
"You have to cherish the years you get to play. I do want to be a good role model for Shai and I want her to see that this is an important chapter in my life.
