"I’m not going to stay on tour if I’m losing in the first round" - Naomi Osaka set to prioritise motherhood over tennis career amid poor start to 2026

Doubts have been cast over Naomi Osaka's long term future in the sport by herself after a painful second round defeat to Talia Gibson at the Miami Open. The four-time Grand Slam winner hinted that she may not have long left in tennis if these early defeats in tournaments continue to occur.

Gibson has continued in the rich vein of form that saw her reach the quarterfinals of Indian Wells. Ranked inside the top 100 for the first time, she managed to qualify for the Miami Open. The Aussie has made the most of this, dropping just one game against Sara Bejlek before defeating the former world number one 7-5, 6-4.

By her standards, Osaka was not at the level to compete. The damage was done in a brutal period for the Japanese. Gibson broke to move 6-5 ahead in the first set before surviving two break point opportunities to take the first set. This was in the midst of her winning seven points on the spin as she accelerated towards a 0-40 lead at the start of the second set. She took her second chance and remained impenetrable throughout the rest of the match. Continuing with the trend, she took her second match point as her unlikely Sunshine swing debut prolongs.

This incredible story for the 21-year-old will see a new chapter written against Iva Jovic in the third round of the Miami Open. However, there is a completely different mood on the other side of the court.

Osaka is a mother to her 2-year-old daughter, Shai. Being a professional tennis player, she is usually travelling around the world competing at the biggest tournaments on offer. That means less time with her daughter. After a busy period, Osaka is set to skip the first part of the clay swing to spend time with her.

There are mixed feelings in the mind for Osaka as she contemplates her next move. “I feel like this also is a dilemma for me,” Osaka told reporters. “Obviously, I would love to play, but like I said last year … for me, my daughter is very important, and I want to be a mum. I want to be the best mum I can, but sometimes I feel like I know what I have to do to become a really good player, and it’s very difficult. I’m not going to play Charleston. I hope I can play Madrid, Rome and then obviously the French Open.”

Osaka reiterated what she said last year, joking about her getting on in age with a choice between her daughter and her tennis career on the line. It is a simple choice if forced to decide, and it may be made easier if the former world number one is not making it past the opening stages of tournaments on a regular basis.

“Your girl’s getting old out here,” the 28-year-old laughed. “For me, like I said last year, I’m not going to stay on tour if I’m losing in the first round,” Osaka added. “I’d rather just be a great mum and be there for my daughter. Because for me, I want to win titles and I want to be the best player I can, but if I have to sacrifice having a lot of time with my daughter, I’d rather not do it.”

Osaka has yet to breathe life into her 2026 campaign so far. Her debut representing Japan at the United Cup ended at the group phase before a controversial win in the second round of the Australian Open was followed by her withdrawing from the competition due to injury. She returned to Indian Wells where she put up a solid showing against the world number one Aryna Sabalenka. The Belarusian proved to be too strong for her despite a very good performance. She would not be able to convert that to Florida with some time now to spend with her daughter and ponder on what is next. She will next be in action at the Madrid Open which begins on April 20, with all signs pointing towards the French Open.