Osaka on her role as a mother-player: "Federer, Nadal, or even LeBron James did not receive the same treatment"
Becoming a mother has transformed Naomi Osaka. Returning to competition after the birth of her daughter Shai, in July 2023, has changed her even more. But this time, it is not motherhood itself that has shaken her, rather the way the professional women's circuit has welcomed—or rather, hasn't really welcomed—her back.
"I don't think the WTA gives mothers the benefit of the doubt, or truly understands the challenges of returning after pregnancy," she confided in an unfiltered interview with the Financial Times. Behind the well-meaning speeches and inclusive communication campaigns, the reality appears to be quite different.
According to Osaka, several tournaments did not support her in her efforts to regain her rhythm ahead of major events.
"The WTA promotes itself in a certain way in the public sphere, but its private actions don't quite match. I guess it's all based on the tournament structure, but I never imagined how difficult it could be," she admits.
But Osaka doesn't stop there. In her comments, she broadens the reflection: why are mothers so quickly labeled, while fathers, even the most famous ones, escape this lens?
"We celebrate mothers, that's fine, but why is a father like LeBron James or Roger Federer never presented as a 'father-player'?"
