"I just feel like I don't have time to waste": Naomi Osaka utilizing every moment on the court after becoming a mother

Former World No.1 Naomi Osaka has returned to the sport she loves after giving birth to her daughter. However, the Japanese superstar relishes the moments she spends being a mother, and recently acknowledged her desire to prioritize time spent with her child.

The two-time Australian Open champion welcomed daughter Shai with rapper Cordae in July 2023. After taking maternal leave during and after her pregnancy, Osaka returned to the WTA tour at the start of the 2024 season. Although she hasn't gotten the results she'd like, she is slowly regaining her form as she resumes the rigorous life of being a full-time professional athlete.

In an appearance on the video podcast series Good Trouble with Nick Kyrgios, Osaka sat down to discuss various topics with the Aussie tennis star. The four-time Grand Slam champion spoke about whether being a mother has changed her approach to tennis.

"So far like practice wise? I just feel like I don't have time to waste, so I'm trying to be really efficient with everything," said Osaka. "And I think when I was younger I could hit for like three hours and kind of waste time in the middle or whatever. But now I know there's someone waiting for me at home and I have to take care of her. So right now I just feel like every second counts.

“I've stepped away from tennis before, but this time, it was the longest duration of my life. And I think it kind of gave me a perspective like, 'Hey, you're not going to play tennis forever. And you kind of have to cherish the years that you can play,'" she noted. I do want to be a good role model for Shai, and I want her to see that this was an important chapter in my life."