All mothers have a soft corner for their child, and Japan’s four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka is no different. The former World No. 1, who took 15 months away from tennis after the birth of her daughter Shai, three, and returned in 2023, has made it clear that her daughter will always be her priority, even if that means quitting tennis.

Osaka, 29, is in Tokyo to play at the Pan Pacific Open this week. “It’s tough, sometimes I look towards my future and I often wonder how long I’m going to play. Because if my daughter did say she didn’t want me to travel as much, I’m not the type of person to ignore that. My daughter is my biggest priority,” the World No. 19 said ahead of the tournament.