As the 2026 Australian Open begins in Melbourne, Naomi Osaka is stepping onto one of tennis’ biggest stages with a mindset shaped as much by motherhood as by match preparation.
The four-time Grand Slam champion said becoming a mother has altered how she experiences life on tour, offering a more grounded, reflective perspective as she opens her campaign at the season’s first Major.
Naomi Osaka Opens Up on How Motherhood Has Changed Her Daily Routine
The Australian Open, held at Melbourne Park from Jan. 18 to Feb. 1, 2026, once again sets the tone for the tennis year. With a record prize pool of $111.5 million, the tournament continues to rank among the most lucrative and player-friendly events in the sport.
The men’s draw features Jannik Sinner chasing a third straight title and World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz seeking his first Australian Open crown. On the women’s side, defending champion Madison Keys leads a field. Within that high-stakes environment, Osaka’s return carries an added layer of personal meaning following the birth of her daughter.
During a pre-match press conference in Melbourne, Osaka spoke about how motherhood has become intertwined with her daily routine as a professional athlete. The former World No. 1, who welcomed her daughter, Shai, in July 2023 with her boyfriend, rapper Cordae, explained that staying connected, even during training, has taken on new significance.
“I talk to my daughter now,” Osaka said. “She likes to watch my practices, which is something new, on FaceTime. So she’ll call, and I put her on the chair. And it’s so cute, because I can hear her say, ‘Go, mommy, go,’ on the sidelines.”
“Go mommy, go!” 🥰
The sweetest encouragement she can get ❤️@wwos • @espn • @tntsports • @wowowtennis • #AO26 pic.twitter.com/uhoijqJj3b
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 16, 2026
Osaka explained that those moments have made her more aware of how quickly her daughter is growing. “So honestly, things like that make me realize how much older she’s getting and how she’s developing,” she said. “And I just wish to experience so many different things with her.”
Osaka also addressed why Shai has not traveled with her to Australia yet, adding, “And I never bring her here, because the flight is too long. But I hope eventually she’ll come one day.”
How Did Osaka’s Early-Season Matches Prepare Her for the Australian Open?
Osaka began her 2026 campaign at the United Cup, posting a split 1-1 record in singles play. Her tournament opened with a straight-sets defeat to Greece’s Maria Sakkari as she continued to work her way back after an illness during the offseason.
She responded in her next match with a straight-sets victory against Great Britain’s Katie Swan. Despite the rebound, Japan failed to advance, exiting the competition after dropping both of its Group E ties.
She now turns her focus to Melbourne for her 10th appearance at the Australian Open, where she is a two-time champion. The Japanese star enters the tournament as the No. 16 seed and is set to begin her run against Antonia Ružić.
The matchup will mark their first encounter on the WTA Tour, and the winner will move on to face either Sorana Cîrstea or Eva Lys in the second round.
