Naomi Osaka’s 2026 season can be measured in wins, rankings and newfound success at the majors, but the most encouraging development may be one that doesn’t show up on the stat sheet.
Osaka is happy. She is grateful to be playing tennis. Most importantly, she has found a perspective that allows her to accept results without being consumed by them.
The 28-year-old earned her 30th victory of the season on Sunday at the China Open, defeating Sara Bejlek 7-6, 6-4, and afterward reflected on the mental transformation that has helped make her success feel sustainable.
“I feel like from my end, I really realized the only thing I can do is try my best every match,” Osaka said. “I feel like when I was younger, I kind of copped out in the way like I would mentally check out a little bit when it would be very tight or the stress would make me feel very overwhelmed.”
Osaka’s angst – about results, minutiae, expectations – has now been replaced by gratitude. Becoming a mother to Shai in July of 2023 has been the difference maker for Osaka.
“Now I just feel like every match that I get to play is a gift,” she said. “I could be injured or something could have happened to me where I couldn’t play anymore. I’m just grateful to play. I’m grateful that my daughter’s healthy, very energetic.”
The shift in perspective has helped the four-time major champion and former World No.1 make big strides at the Slams in 2026. She reached the second week at each of the final three Grand Slams of the season, doing so at Roland Garros and Wimbledon for the first time in her career — a particularly meaningful breakthrough for a major champion whose greatest successes have traditionally come on hard courts rather than clay and grass.
There is still another level for Osaka to find.
She went 1-7 against Top 10 opponents this season and has yet to win a title, leaving her still searching for her first tour-level trophy since capturing the 2021 Australian Open. Those numbers offer a clear indication of where the challenge lies as she looks toward 2027.
Osaka is better equipped to handle those challenges because winning and losing no longer carry quite the same emotional weight.
“If I were to have lost after trying my best, I get to go home and see her,” Osaka said of her daughter. “No matter what happens, it’s kind of a win.”
0 comments