Naomi Osaka Addresses Isolation Problems With Motherhood and Pressures of Society

In her upcoming documentary, The Second Set, Osaka aims to share her experiences and highlight the emotional realities faced by women trying to balance career and family. “Motherhood can feel very isolating at times,” she explained in an interview with The Watchlist.

“Showing my experience hopefully helps other mums feel seen and less alone,” she continued. “Society puts a lot of pressure on women to get back to ‘normal’ after having a baby. I think every woman’s post-partum journey is unique, and we shouldn’t expect our bodies to look and feel exactly the same way after carrying a baby for nine months. Women’s bodies show incredible resilience, and that should be celebrated.”

Osaka admitted that outside scrutiny has been difficult to navigate. “It can be tough when I hear or see things being written about me, especially by people who don’t know me,” she said. “I would argue that having a baby has only motivated me more, and I look forward to my daughter coming to my matches one day and seeing all my hard work pay off.”

The Japanese star also spoke of her admiration for fellow mothers on the tennis circuit. “I love seeing fellow mums on tour, travelling with their kids,” she added. “It’s a reminder of how much respect I have for all the women out there who are juggling the responsibilities of family life.”

When it comes to her daughter’s future, Osaka said she would offer freedom of choice. “If she shows interest, I will support her, but I don’t ever want her to feel like she has to play tennis,” she shared. “She is quite fast, so maybe track is in her future – we’ll see.”

Osaka’s dominant return to form and her honesty about the realities of motherhood have struck a chord both inside and outside the tennis world. With her new documentary set to release soon, she is not only chasing more titles but also redefining what it means to be a champion mother—on and off the court.