Naomi Osaka is back at the Australian Open, hoping to clinch her third title at Melbourne Park, after making her debut with Team Japan at the 2026 United Cup, where they lost in group stage matches.
The World No. 16 has recently garnered a reaction from the WTA legend after sharing her views on growing up with her daughter, Shai, whom she shares with former partner, rapper Cordae Amari Brooks.
Chris Evert’s Message As Naomi Osaka Highlights Her Daughter’s Emotional Support
Osaka, who won the Australian Open titles in 2019 and 2021, has returned to the first Grand Slam of the 2026 season while balancing her career and her other significant role of being a mother. The Japanese star welcomed her daughter, Shai, in July 2023, with Cordae, whom she had been dating since 2019.
In an interview with ESPN, during her maternity break, which she took from September 2022 to January 2024, Osaka had revealed the meaning of her daughter’s name, Shai, which means “God’s gift”; she continued highlighting the reason behind the name, mentioning, “That’s how I wanted her to feel, like she’s God’s gift to me and her dad.”
During her recent press conference, Osaka was asked about her career and how she balances her role as a parent.
She mentioned reflecting on her daughter’s growth, how she wants to spend more time with her, and her joy as her daughter has started being an enthusiastic supporter when she’s practising:
“I think about how time is always ticking and you know, even when I talk to my daughter now she likes to watch my practices, which is something new on FaceTime so she’ll call and I like put her on the chair and it’s so cute because I can hear her go like say ‘go mommy go’ on the sideline.”
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Osaka continued highlighting her views and sharing her hopes of one day bringing Shai to the Australian Open:
“So honestly things like that make me realize how much older she’s getting and how she’s developing and I just wish to experience so many different things with her. I never bring her here because the flight is too long but I hope you know eventually she’ll come one day.”
To which American legend Chris Evert gave a heartfelt reply, mentioning, “Awesome to hear…❤️,” as per the Australian Open’s Instagram post. Evert, who has won 157 singles and 32 doubles titles in her decorated career, among other feats, reflected her views while validating and supporting Osaka’s parenting journey.
The Hall of Famer is a mother of three and, in 2024, also became a grandmother when her son, Nicholas, and his wife, Rebecca, welcomed their son, Hayden.
