Naomi Osaka’s Journey: Family, Motherhood, and Tennis Comeback
Naomi Osaka’s story isn’t just about tennis—it’s about resilience, family, and finding identity through many roles in life. She rose to fame as a young phenom, becoming the No. 1 ranked women’s singles player in 2019 and holding that spot for 25 weeks. But her journey has been far from smooth. Beyond the courts, she has dealt with depression, anxiety, and the crushing weight of public scrutiny. At times, those struggles showed on the court with moments of frustration and exhaustion. Eventually, she stepped away—not because of the mental toll, but because she was preparing to welcome her first child.
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In July 2023, Naomi became a mother to her daughter, Shai. The name, meaning “gift” in Arabic, was chosen with deep intention. She explained in an interview that Shai is “God’s gift” to her and her father, rapper Cordae. That step into motherhood reshaped Naomi’s life and career. While many female athletes face criticism for becoming pregnant during their prime, Naomi viewed motherhood differently. In her documentary Naomi Osaka: The Second Set , she described her return to tennis as a love letter to moms everywhere. Rather than ending her career, she said motherhood marked the true beginning of a new chapter.
Her relationship with Cordae, who was supportive during her battles with mental health, also shaped part of her public journey. The two began dating in 2019, welcomed Shai in 2023, but decided to part ways in early 2025. Despite the split, Naomi shared that there was no animosity, and they remain committed to co-parenting their daughter.
Family has always been at the heart of Naomi’s story. Her father, Leonard Francois, originally from Haiti, and her mother, Tamaki Osaka, from Japan, raised her and her sister Mari in a home where both cultures were honored. Leonard was inspired by Richard Williams’ approach with Venus and Serena, so he coached his daughters by following that same blueprint. The family eventually moved to Florida in 2006 so Naomi and Mari could pursue greater training opportunities.
Naomi’s heritage has often been a point of discussion—Japanese, Haitian, American, Black, Asian—labels that people tried to pin on her. But she has always embraced the fact that she is all of these identities at once. That same multicultural foundation played into her decision to represent Japan in the Olympics, a choice she made when she gave up her U.S. citizenship in 2019. Her mother later explained that the decision was natural, since Naomi and Mari had always felt a strong connection to Japan.
Mari, Naomi’s older sister, also pursued tennis but eventually retired in 2021 due to injuries, later channeling her creativity into fashion design. She even designed Naomi’s striking outfit for the Met Gala.
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