“I don’t really want to be famous”: Naomi Osaka’s unusual view of stardom after becoming a global icon
WTAMonday, 27 July 2026 at 08:30
Naomi Osaka has never been someone who chased the spotlight, but the former world No. 1 has found herself at the centre of global attention once again in recent months. As she prepares for her return to hard courts at the DC Open, the four-time Grand Slam champion opened up about fame, fashion and the unexpected ways her career has continued to evolve.
The Japanese star arrives in Washington after one of the strongest Grand Slam campaigns of her comeback, reaching the Wimbledon quarterfinals earlier this month for the first time in her career. Although Osaka admitted she left London disappointed after missing the opportunity to go even further, the result confirmed that she remains capable of competing deep into the biggest tournaments.
Osaka’s Wimbledon run continued a positive 2026 season in which she has shown signs of returning to the level that made her one of the dominant players in women’s tennis. Now back on her favourite surface, the hard courts, the 28-year-old will look to build momentum ahead of one of the most important stretches of the calendar.
The timing is especially significant, as Osaka enters the North American hard-court swing looking to defend a large number of points from last season. In 2025, she reached the Canadian Open final and followed it with a semifinal appearance at the US Open, making the upcoming weeks crucial for her ranking and confidence heading into the final Grand Slam of the year.
"I don't really want to be famous": Osaka opens up on life beyond tennis
Despite becoming one of the most recognizable athletes in the world, Osaka explained that fame has never been something she actively pursued. Instead, she believes she has continued living in a similar way throughout her career, even as her profile has expanded beyond tennis.
“I actually don't really want to be famous, so I'm good with where I'm at right now,” Osaka said during her press conference in Washington.
Naomi Osaka at 2026 French Open.
The former world No. 1 also reflected on how her public image has changed, particularly through her connection with fashion. During the last seasons, Osaka has generated significant attention for her outfits at the Grand Slams, using those moments as a way to express herself outside of competition.
“Then people are knowing me now for the fashion stuff more than the tennis, like fashion enthusiasts more than tennis fans.”
Osaka has often described herself as introverted, but she believes fashion has helped her connect with different audiences and explore areas she never expected to enter. “Ironically, wearing the outfits that I wear have kind of forced me to speak a lot more, especially about topics that I'm not necessarily an expert on.”
“Doing the fashion stuff has made me talk to people that I've never met before and things like that. I'm just trying to go into worlds that I've never imagined myself sort of being in before.”
The evolution has been remarkable considering where Osaka was several years ago. After becoming a global superstar following her 2018 US Open breakthrough, she stepped away from tennis and later returned as a mother, rebuilding her career while balancing new priorities.
Osaka returns to hard courts with major expectations
Although Osaka has embraced her growth beyond tennis, her competitive ambitions remain as high as ever. Her Wimbledon quarterfinal run was a reminder that she still has the level to challenge the best players in the world, although she came up short in her defeat to Karolina Muchova, falling 6-7(4), 4-6 in the quarterfinals.
“Maybe for like a couple of days or so, I was just really disappointed in myself. Maybe that's just my mindset, because I'm so hard on myself," the former world no. 1 said. “Obviously if someone gets that far in Wimbledon, it's something to be happy about, but for me, I really felt it was my time to do something.”
Now, Osaka returns to the hard courts, the surface where she has enjoyed her greatest success. All four of her Grand Slam titles came on hard courts, including two US Open trophies and two Australian Open crowns, making the next few weeks particularly important.
At the DC Open, Osaka enters as the No. 3 seed and will receive a first-round bye before facing either Katie Boulter or wildcard Ashlyn Krueger. The tournament represents her first opportunity to test her level since Wimbledon and begin the defence of the strong results she produced during last year's North American swing.
With Washington, the Canadian Open and the US Open ahead, Osaka faces one of the biggest challenges of her comeback: maintaining her momentum while carrying the pressure of defending some of the best results of her recent career. However, after proving in London that she can still compete deep into major tournaments, expectations around Osaka have once again started to rise.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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