Naomi Osaka is opening up about being a new mom. In a post that the 26-year-old mother shared on both X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, Osaka revealed that she found herself feeling insecure when it came to her new role.
twosix❤️ pic.twitter.com/AbvJ99XYMz
— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) October 22, 2023
“Something I had to conquer recently is fighting the thought that I won’t be a good mom,” she wrote in the second paragraph of her post. “So many doubts raced through my head I had to swat them away like mosquitoes.”
The tennis legend continued the post, realizing that her three-month-old daughter Shai was the reason that she needed to address her feelings.
“Looking into Shai’s eyes and holding her I always think, ‘Wow this little person depends on me so much, I have to do better,’ It’s such a strange feeling watching your kid grow, you blink and they’re double the size in a few months.”
She concluded, “Gratefulness reminds me to breathe and take in the little things (and the big ones). I’m so grateful to have another year and I’m so thankful to everyone that believes in me.”
Osaka welcomed her daughter with 26-year-old rapper, Cordae in July of this year, first announcing her pregnancy in January.
Three months prior to her daughter’s birth, the tennis star shared her motherhood hopes and dreams with People Magazine.
“I would say for me, I just want to be the best version of myself,” she told the popular entertainment news outlet in the exclusive interview. “Obviously, I’ve never been a mother before so I’m taking it day-by-day and just trying to be someone that my son or daughter will be proud of.”
Osaka continued, saying that she would rely on her circle of season mothers for advice. “There are several mothers in my life, all at different phases of motherhood. It’s been nice having them share recommendations and tips along the way.”
Motherhood is hard, but as Osaka herself said in an interview with the U.S. Surgeon General, “The little wins turn into the big wins.” And to those of us who are looking on the outside in, it does look like Osaka is winning in more ways than not.
Photo Credit(s)/Featured Image: Naomi Osaka Instagram; @hanakuma Instagram
