Naomi Osaka rips critics throwing doubts on her tennis future after pregnancy

• Tennis News
• Tennis Stories

Naomi Osaka took to Twitter to address those doubting her tennis future after pregnancy. Osaka, 25, announced in January she was expecting to welcome her first child this year. Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, will miss the entire 2023 season but she is targeting to return at the start of the 2024 season in Australia.

"Btw to the people that are suddenly concerned about my career. There are plenty of male athletes with kids that are significantly less accomplished, you might wanna worry about them instead. Thanks for the concern, might wanna redirect it to someone that needs it though.

Not trying to make this a male and female thing but let’s be fr," Osaka tweeted.

Not trying to make this a male and female thing but let’s be fr. — NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) May 12, 2023

Osaka is due to give birth in the next month or two

In April, Osaka revealed that her baby was due in June or July.

Then, Osaka will focus on preparing for her tennis comeback. "The baby is due in June or July, so I have August, September, October, November and December. I have almost six months," Osaka said in a recent interview with a Japanese sports journalist.

In the last two seasons, Osaka didn't really play much and her results weren't impressive. But when Osaka returns to the court in 2024, she expects to again be at the top of her game. "I'm definitely going to perform well and be a better player than I have been last year.

For me, my results just made me want to try harder and be the best that I can be. I’ll be competing in Australia next year," Osaka said. Osaka captured her fourth Grand Slam title at the start of the 2021 season in Australia.

Since then, Osaka hasn't won any titles. During the same conversation with a Japanese sports journalist, Osaka said her goal was to win eight more Grand Slams before retiring.