Naomi Osaka has shared a heartfelt message about her struggles with mental health and motherhood.

The four-time Grand Slam champion missed the entirety of the 2023 season after she announced that she was pregnant with her first child. In July of this year, Osaka gave birth to her daughter Shai.

Last week, the Japanese player celebrated her 26th birthday, and in an Instagram post titled '26', Osaka reflected on her feelings about aging, saying she still felt like she did when she was a kid.

"Where has the time gone? I look back on my life and it feels like I’m rewinding an old VHS tape.

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"It flashes by so quickly and suddenly I’m here in the present. I often try to retrace my steps to figure out how I ended up here. I know I say this often, but I truly still feel like that kid playing on public courts in Queens, NY," she wrote.

Osaka shares how she copes with doubts

The former World No. 1 then proceeded to share how she copes with doubts about herself and whether or not she is a good mother, saying that she has adopted a more positive mindset.

"Randomly I wonder if I’m doing okay; is there a correct path to take in life or have I veered off onto the scenic route for a little bit? However, I’ve now come into the mindset that I can only keep moving forward and everything that will be, will be.

"Something I had to conquer recently is fighting the thought that I won’t be a good mom. So many doubts raced through my head I had to swat them away like mosquitoes.

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"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 explained.

Osaka is planning to return to the WTA Tour in 2024, with her expected appearance at the Australian Open having been recently confirmed by the tournament director Craig Tiley.

Osaka ended her message by thanking her supporters and expressing gratitude for all the positive things in her life.

"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, love you and thank you."