“I want to be the best”: Naomi Osaka makes honest admission after Miami Open defeat as daughter Shai becomes priority over tennis career

Naomi Osaka’s season took another tough turn in Miami, and this time it felt bigger than just a loss. The four-time Grand Slam champion was knocked out in the second round of the 2026 Miami Open by Australia’s Talia Gibson, 7-5, 6-4. Osaka, who was seeded 16th, did not win a single break point in the match. Soon after the defeat, she opened up about something deeper than tennis. She spoke about her daughter Shai and how that role is now shaping her career choices.

This was not just about one match. Osaka has been struggling since the start of the season, with early exits at the Australian Open and Indian Wells as well. Now, after Miami, she admitted she is unsure about playing the upcoming clay season. She already confirmed she will skip the Charleston Open and said she will decide later about Madrid, Rome, and the French Open.

Naomi Osaka says daughter Shai comes first as she questions future after Miami Open loss

Speaking in her post-match press conference, Naomi Osaka was honest and emotional. She made it clear that being a mother is now at the center of her life.

She said, “I feel like this also is a dilemma for me. Obviously, I would love to play, but like I said last year, for me, my daughter is very important, and I want to be a mum. I want to be the best mum I can, but sometimes I feel like I know what I have to do to become a really good player, and it’s very difficult.”

She also confirmed her immediate plans. “I’m not going to play Charleston. I hope I can play Madrid, Rome and then obviously the French Open,” she added. Her words showed that she still wants to compete, but not at the cost of missing time with her daughter.

Then came the part that caught everyone’s attention. Osaka spoke about what could happen if results do not improve. “For me, like I said last year, I’m not going to stay on tour if I’m losing in the first round. I’d rather just be a great mom and be there for my daughter,” she said.

She further added, “Because for me, I want to win titles and I want to be the best player I can, but if I have to sacrifice having a lot of time with my daughter, I’d rather not do it.”

Right now, her next steps are not fully clear. The Madrid Open is set to begin on April 20, but Osaka has not confirmed her participation. For now, she is taking things one step at a time, balancing tennis and motherhood in her own way.





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