"Shai likes to fight her sleep": Stress of motherhood or closing out a tennis match? Naomi Osaka responds after tennis return
WTA
Naomi Osaka
gave a hilariously candid response during the on-court interview about her
daughter Shai at the 2024 Brisbane International. The 4-times Grand Slam
champion struggled to win her first match after 15 months away from the WTA
Tour due to her pregnancy and the subsequent birth of her daughter.
The
Japanese player made a triumphant return, securing a victory over Tamara
Korpatsch (No. 83) with a score of 6-3, 7-6(9). Osaka showcased a high level of
play despite the extended break, although she still needs to fine-tune some
aspects as she made a few unforced errors that made closing out the match more
challenging. In the tie-break, she squandered two match points but ultimately
prevailed over the German 11-9 in an exciting conclusion.
After the
match, during the on-court interview, the interviewer asked Osaka about her
difficulties in finishing the match and the recent birth of her daughter:
"Which is easier, closing out a match or getting a newborn to sleep?"
"Normally,
I would say closing out the match because it was kind of tough for me today.
Shai likes to fight her sleep. So I'd say preferably playing tennis over
changing diapers and anything like that," Osaka responded with laughter.
Osaka set for a clash against a former world No. 1
The
successful return of the Japanese player to the courts sets the stage for an
exciting duel to kick off the year as Osaka takes on the 16th seed Karolina
Pliskova (currently No. 38). This will mark the first official encounter of the
year between two players (male or female) who have held the No. 1 ranking at
some point in their careers. Osaka held the top spot for a total of 25 weeks in
2019, while Pliskova led the ranking for 8 weeks in 2017.
In their
head-to-head (h2h) matchups, Pliskova leads 3-2, and all of their clashes have
taken place on hard courts. Their last two encounters were in Australia, with
Osaka emerging victorious, including the semifinals of the 2019 Australian Open
(a tournament ultimately won by Osaka) and later in Brisbane in 2020.
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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