Osaka balances personal juggling act at United Cup

Naomi Osaka has shifted the focus of her tennis life, with the double Australian Open winner concentrating as much on toddler daughter Shai as she does on her tennis.

The former world No. 1 will begin her 2026 season on Friday in a United Cup mixed team group tie against Greece as she takes on Maria Sakkari, who beat her handily the last time they faced off five years ago.

Osaka said that playing on the WTA as a mother brings a new perspective to a career on court which has also yielded two trophies at the US Open.”I used to take the wins and losses so seriously, they defined me as a person.

Now I take every day as a new opportunity to do better..

“My biggest role is not as a player but as a mother to my daughter.”

She added: “The off-season was difficult. I had to try to be there for her but there were moments when I had to train, I hope I’m handling it well.

“I hope when she’s older that she understands why I did what I did.”

The US-based Japanese player wrapped up last season in mid-October due partly to injury and said that her two-month off season was also a personal challenge. “I was able to spend time with my daughter while I recovered from a long season, even if I didn’t play the entire thing.

“My form will hopefully be good in my matches. I feel in shape and excited for the upcoming season.”

She said that her United Cup debut in the western Australia capital will be exciting.

“I enjoy the team atmosphere,” she said. “I’ve wanted to play the United Cup for a long time. You get to play the best in the world straight off the bat.”