Naomi Osaka recently became a mother to a baby girl. She has been away from the tour since September last year and is now looking after her daughter. Osaka is in a relationship with rapper, Cordae. Naomi last won a match in August 2022 at the Mudabala Silicon Valley Classic.
After giving birth in July, the tennis star was seen practicing on the court this month. Naomi has overcome struggles in her childhood to be a star and now a mother.
Osaka’s mother, Tamaki Osaka, shared how times were different a few years back. Tamaki was reminded of the time when she gave birth to Naomi twenty-five years ago.
On seeing her granddaughter, she said, “Her wide eyes are very similar to Naomi’s. She’s also like Naomi in that she drinks a lot of milk and then sleeps soundly.” Osaka and her sibling were first brought up in a two-room apartment at Nishi Ward, Osaka.
Nooooooooooooooooo 😱😫😂 pic.twitter.com/fhCKnK8Iqx
— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) June 29, 2020
Osaka has an elder sister, Mari, who is a year and a half older than her. Their father, Leonard Maxime Francois, is from Haiti and met Tamaki when he was visiting Japan as a college student. Osaka is proud of her Haitian and Japanese cultures.
Naomi Osaka born around sporting backgrounds
Osaka’s parents were also sports enthusiasts. Tamaki practiced Swimming and Skating while Leonard was into Basketball. Osaka was brought up around the sporting culture. She and her sister were encouraged to play by their parents. According to Tamaki, Osaka was independent as a toddler and could eat without any help from her parents. She also was a fast learner and could pick up new words with ease.
Tamaki worked overtime and did part-time jobs so that the kids could attend gymnastics school. The family later moved to New York as the sisters played tennis during the day and were homeschooled at night. Leonard coached the sisters and has been guiding them till today. While Mari discontinued playing the sport in 2021, having reached No.280 in singles, and is now a fashion designer.
how it started how it‘s going pic.twitter.com/IqhdYaVZ3V
— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) October 7, 2020
Osaka’s rise to the sport in such a short span has not been matched by many. She is yet to lose a grand slam final and has won four majors at the age of twenty-five. The two-time Australian Open winner also raised concerns about mental health on tour last year during the French Open. Osaka will return to tour in the 2024 season and has already started her comeback journey.