"That's how I wanted her to feel, like she's God's gift to me & her dad": Osaka explains meaning behind Shai name for daughter
WTAFriday, 08 September 2023 at 08:00
Former world number one Naomi Osaka has revealed the reason
behind naming her daughter ‘Shai’.
The 25-year-old and her partners recently announced the
arrival of their daughter whom they name Shai.
Talking about it during the US Open, Osaka stated that the
meaning of Shai is a ‘God’s gift’ and that’s why she gave that name to her
daughter.
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"Shai means 'God's gift' and that's how I wanted her to
feel, like she's God's gift to me and her dad," she said.
Talking about how it feels to become a mother, Osaka revealed
that sometimes it feels weird that someone is relying on her but that she is
excited to be a part of a new journey.
"It's definitely a weird feeling knowing that someone
relies on me," she said. "I still call my mom all the time, and
knowing that this little person is going to grow up and do the same ... I'm
excited for it."
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Osaka has been on a lengthy break from tennis as she has not
played any match at the highest level since September last year.
The Osaka-born is a four-time Grand Slam winner despite
taking multiple breaks in her still relatively young career.
Her first major triumph came in 2018 in the US Open where
she defeated America’s legendary tennis player Serena Williams in the final in
straight sets with a score of 6-2, 6-4.
Her last big triumph at the court came in 2021 when she
defeated America’s Jennifer Brady in the final in straight sets with a score of
6-4, 6-3 to lift the Australian Open title.
Azeem Siddiqui is a seasoned sports journalist and data analyst with a strong background in both digital media and live sports production.
He began his journalism career working with partners of The New York Times and has since contributed to several leading international sports publications, including Fox Sports Asia, Calciomercato, and GiveMeSport. Since 2023, Azeem has been part of the TennisUpToDate team, where he has played a key role in sustaining the platform’s growth and ensuring tennis fans receive timely and reliable coverage of the sport’s biggest stories.
In addition to his editorial work, Azeem has extensive experience as a data analyst in live sports broadcasting—particularly in cricket—where he combines analytical precision with creative storytelling. He has collaborated with multiple production companies and cricket boards worldwide, delivering real-time insights and data-driven narratives during live match coverage.
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