Is Naomi Osaka retiring from tennis? Miami Open loss and emotional words about daughter Shai hint at a big decision (Image via Getty)
The four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka shocked many fans at the 2026 Miami Open when she lost early in the tournament and then spoke openly about possibly stepping away from the sport.
She was beaten by Australian qualifier Talia Gibson in straight sets, 5-7, 4-6, on Saturday, March 21. Right after the match, Osaka did not hide her feelings. She spoke honestly about her struggles and what really matters to her now. She made it clear that being a mother is no longer something she wants to balance at the cost of her happiness.“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,” Osaka said, as reported by Tennis Channel.
At 28, Osaka is now thinking beyond just titles. Her daughter Shai, born in July 2023, has changed how she sees her career and her life.
Naomi Osaka opens up after Miami Open loss as she weighs tennis future and life with daughter Shai
Naomi Osaka entered the tournament as the No. 16 seed and even had a first-round bye, so expectations were high. But the loss to world No. 68 Talia Gibson came as a surprise. Still, what followed mattered more than the result.She explained that while she still wants to win and compete at the highest level, she is not willing to lose time with her daughter just for tennis.
“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,” she said.Even with these thoughts, Osaka has not fully decided to walk away. She shared her plans for the upcoming clay season and said she hopes to return in late April. She is aiming to play in Madrid, Rome, and the French Open. However, she also confirmed she will skip Charleston.This is not the first time Osaka has spoken about retirement. In an earlier interview with PEOPLE in 2025, she admitted she once thought she would stop playing after becoming a mother.“I was one of those people that thought when I had a kid I would stop playing tennis,” she said.But things changed during her pregnancy. She found new motivation and wanted her daughter to one day see her play.“Just seeing her makes my day brighter… She’s just such a positive influence in my life,” Osaka shared.Now, Osaka stands at a point where her love for tennis and her love for her family are both strong. What she chooses next could shape the final chapter of her career.
