Naomi Osaka’s Mom Details Osaka Crying on a Call After Returning to Tennis

One particularly emotional moment comes from Osaka’s mother, who recalls a tearful phone call from her daughter after her loss to Caroline Garcia in her first comeback match at Australian Open.

“I don’t know if she wants me to tell you this story on camera, but she was crying,” said Osaka’s mother. “So, I’m like, why are you crying for? You know, you just had a baby. People don’t just compete at these highest levels. It’s not like recreational tennis.”

“We’re talking about top world, top athlete. You better understand you can’t just jump up to the top of the mountain. You know, you have Shai now, a family, you got everything. Just keep going, just little by little. It’s like a warm-up. Don’t be sad. Just keep playing. And she says, ‘Ok Mom.’”

The words reflect both the struggles and the support system that continue to shape Osaka’s comeback story.

While Osaka’s return has been filled with ups and downs, her US Open performance suggests that her trademark power and fighting spirit are returning. More importantly, she is showing the tennis world—and herself—that it is possible to carve out space for both motherhood and sporting excellence.