Naomi Osaka Opens Up About Struggles with Postpartum Depression
Naomi Osaka has candidly shared her experiences with severe postpartum depression following the birth of her daughter, Shai, in July 2023. In a clip from her upcoming documentary, Naomi Osaka: The Second Set, the 27-year-old tennis star revealed the emotional challenges she faced during this period. “Honestly, I also had extremely bad postpartum, and I didn’t know how to deal with it that well,” Osaka stated.
In her heartfelt reflection, Osaka described feeling like “a shell of myself at all moments of the day.” She elaborated, saying, “It felt like everyone else had moved on, and they were living in color. Meanwhile, my world was stuck in gray.” These insights come as Osaka continues to navigate the complexities of motherhood and her career in professional tennis.
Return to Tennis After Motherhood
Osaka welcomed her daughter with her ex-boyfriend, the rapper Cordae, and mentioned that she had initially believed motherhood would signal the end of her tennis career. “I was one of those people that thought when I had a kid I would stop playing tennis,” she admitted. Contrary to this belief, the four-time Grand Slam champion made a remarkable return to the WTA Tour just five months after giving birth.
Osaka’s openness about her mental health struggles is not new. She has previously taken significant breaks from tennis to focus on her well-being, including a hiatus in 2021 when she withdrew from major tournaments to address her mental health needs. Her journey highlights the importance of mental health awareness, especially for athletes who face intense public scrutiny.
Osaka is set to compete in the first round of the U.S. Open on Tuesday, where she famously claimed her first major title by defeating Serena Williams in 2018. As she prepares to re-enter the competitive arena, her story serves as a reminder of the personal battles many face, even within the spotlight of athletic achievement.
Her candidness not only sheds light on the lesser-discussed aspects of motherhood but also encourages others to seek help and share their experiences. With her return to the court, Osaka aims to inspire a broader conversation about mental health and the realities of balancing personal and professional life.
