Naomi Osaka not only shone again at Wimbledon with an authoritative performance, but she was also surprised by the most unexpected star of the tournament: her daughter Shai, who captured hearts and stole the spotlight after her mother's remarkable victory. Determined to regain her confidence following a series of setbacks in recent seasons, Osaka secured her place in the third round of the All England Club, but it was the family motivation that turned this achievement into an even more special and emotional moment.
The Japanese tennis player, a four-time Grand Slam winner, easily overcame the Russian qualifier Anastasia Gasanova 6-3, 6-2 in just 67 minutes, without conceding a single break point. This victory marks the third time Osaka has reached the third round at Wimbledon, repeating her feats from 2017, 2018, and now 2024. However, what truly made a difference this time was the presence of her daughter, Shai, who is now celebrating her second birthday and has been the true driving force for the athlete both on and off the court.
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Osaka did not hide her emotion when interviewed on the court. “Tomorrow is my daughter's birthday,” she revealed, visibly moved. “I really wanted to stay here longer. I don't want to force her to get on a plane exactly on her birthday. I'm really happy that I was able to win today.” The tennis player's priority is undoubtedly to ensure that Shai enjoys her special day in London: “I have to train in the morning, but maybe afterwards we can walk in the park and hang out. She loves making friends, so that's probably what we'll do,” Osaka added, making it clear that her life as a mother is inseparable from her sports career.
Since July 2023, when she gave birth to Shai, the result of her relationship with American rapper Cordae, Osaka has been sharing with fans the importance of her role as a mother. Last year, after also reaching the round of 32 at Wimbledon, she posted a video on social media celebrating the victory with the simple yet meaningful caption: “Happy Shai Day.” This year, she once again shared her emotions online: “My girl is already 2 years old, I can't believe it!” she wrote, highlighting the softer side of the Japanese superstar.
The significance of this achievement goes far beyond the numbers: by reaching the third round at Wimbledon, Osaka matched a record that has only been achieved once since 2018 – advancing to the third round of the first three Grand Slams of the year. This is a clear sign that the former world number one is rediscovering her best form and regaining her status as a threat to the top players on the circuit. While satisfied with the victory, Osaka herself acknowledges there is room for improvement: “I can't evaluate my performance. I think I need some time before doing that. Right now, I’m just happy to win,” she admitted, already looking ahead to the next stage.
Now, the challenge is even greater: to reach the round of 16 at the London tournament for the first time, Osaka will have to overcome Daria Kasatkina, a formidable opponent, next Friday. If she wins, the Japanese player will finally secure a place in the second week of Wimbledon, a barrier that has proven insurmountable on the British grass. The anticipation is high: is Osaka ready to take the decisive step and establish herself once and for all in the only Grand Slam where she has yet to achieve true recognition?
With confidence growing, her daughter as inspiration, and her tennis flowing once again, Naomi Osaka is preparing for one of the most important matches of the season. The tennis world is watching the Japanese player, who, more than ever, is also playing for her family. The outcome of her journey at Wimbledon promises to be a major focus in the coming days, with the possibility that Osaka will finally write a new chapter of glory on the sacred grass of London.
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