Osaka takes major title wait in stride after U.S. Open exit
Naomi Osaka reflects on her U.S. Open exit, stating that her perspective on success has shifted since becoming a mother. Despite the loss, she remains optimistic about her future in tennis and her life outside the sport.
Why it matters
It highlights the evolving priorities of high-profile athletes and the intersection of professional sports with personal life milestones.
Naomi Osaka's fourth-round U.S. Open defeat on Monday extended her wait for another Grand Slam title. Still, she put the setback into perspective, saying motherhood and life beyond tennis had changed how she viewed success.
The Japanese player won the last of her four major titles at the Australian Open in 2021, before stepping away from the sport and giving birth to daughter Shai three years ago.
Despite encouraging results since returning to the tour, including a U.S. Open semi-final and Wimbledon quarter-final, Osaka said so much had happened in her life that the drought felt both long and short.
"I had a kid, you know? There's a lot that happened in that time," Osaka said after her 6-1 6-4 defeat by Elena Rybakina.
"If I reflect on my career and the things I've been able to do, there's nothing that I regret or there's nothing that I'm sad about.
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