Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka dropped a bombshell in a recent press conference, hinting that she may cut her illustrious tennis career short if her results on court don’t improve soon. The 27-year-old Japanese superstar, who returned to the WTA Tour in 2024 after taking time off to have her first child, expressed uncertainty about her future in the sport.
Osaka “Humbled” by Disappointing 2024 Results
Despite working “way harder than ever before,” Osaka struggled to find her top form consistently in 2024. She posted a modest 22-17 win-loss record and only reached the quarterfinals twice. The former world No. 1, known for her powerful groundstrokes and steely mindset, admitted feeling “humbled” by her lack of success.
“I’d rather spend time with my daughter if I’m not where I think I should be and where I feel like I can be.”
– Naomi Osaka on prioritizing family over a fading tennis career
Not the Type to “Hang Around” Without Winning
In a stunningly candid moment, Osaka confessed she likely wouldn’t stick with professional tennis much longer if she can’t compete for titles. “I don’t think I’m the type of player that would hang around,” she stated bluntly, showing respect for the tour grind. For a player with Osaka’s championship pedigree, simply collecting paychecks is not appealing.
Memorable Matches Motivate Osaka to Continue
Still, not everything was doom and gloom for Osaka in her comeback season. She cited her thrilling three-set French Open battle with world No. 1 Iga Swiatek as evidence of her enduring quality. “People still talk to me about my Iga match,” Osaka noted. Creating those unforgettable moments on big stages continues to fuel her competitive desire.
Rehabbing Injury, Rediscovering Love of the Game
Currently sidelined by a back injury suffered in her last 2024 match, Osaka is taking advantage of the recovery time to reflect on her relationship with tennis. She shared a realization that she “very much truly loved” a sport she had felt “forced” into as a child prodigy. That reconnection with her tennis passion could be key to extending her career.
“I’ve been playing tennis since I was three…I never really saw my life doing anything else.”
– Naomi Osaka on her lifelong connection to tennis
Plotting a Path Forward in 2025 and Beyond
As she prepares to launch her 2025 campaign at the ASB Classic, Osaka finds herself at a career crossroads. Will the two-time Australian Open and US Open champ recapture her dominant form and add to her Grand Slam haul? Or will nagging injuries and the rise of a new generation send her into early retirement? The next chapter of this compelling tennis story remains unwritten.
One thing is certain: Naomi Osaka is too proud a competitor to linger on tour without challenging for big titles. To continue her tennis journey with conviction, she’ll need to prove to herself, and her millions of fans, that she can still summon the magic that made her an icon. If not, one of the most impactful careers in the sport’s history may reach an abrupt end.
