Osaka 'not far off' best form

Naomi Osaka, the 29-year-old Japanese tennis star, says she is 'not far off' the form that saw her win four Grand Slam titles. Despite her recent progress, Osaka admits she has thought about quitting and often ponders her future in the sport.

Osaka has won four Grand Slam titles, including two US Open and two Australian Open titles, between 2018 and 2021. She took time off in 2021 to prioritize her mental health and another 15 months away after becoming pregnant, before returning in 2023 following the birth of her daughter, Shai.

The Japanese star is currently ranked 19th in the world and is the seventh seed at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo. She has shown promising form this year, beating Aryna Sabalenka on her way to the quarter-finals of Wimbledon and reaching the semi-finals in Washington and the last eight in Toronto during the North American hardcourt swing.

Osaka says she would quit tennis if her three-year-old daughter, Shai, asked her to. 'It's tough, sometimes I look towards my future and I often wonder how long I'm going to play,' said Osaka. 'Because if my daughter did say she didn't want me to travel as much, I'm not the type of person to ignore that.' Osaka's mindset has changed with age and parenthood, and she now prioritizes her daughter's needs.

## Why it matters Osaka's potential retirement would be a significant loss for the tennis world, given her impressive career and recent resurgence. Her decision to prioritize her daughter's needs reflects the challenges faced by many working mothers, including those in professional sports. As Osaka navigates her career and family responsibilities, her future in tennis remains uncertain.

Osaka's current focus is on the Pan Pacific Open, where she will play Italy's Jasmine Paolini in the opening round. Despite the uncertainty surrounding her future, Osaka remains committed to her tennis career for now, and her fans will be watching her progress closely.