Naomi Osaka has endured an eventful season filled with challenging matches, injuries and personal battles away from public view. One such personal battle that stands out is her experience postpartum body changes; Osaka recently opened up about this topic following the July 2018 birth of daughter Shai and offered us rare insight into her personal life off court.
Osaka first became more visible online after she withdrew due to a back injury at China Open and decided to share her emotional journey through Instagram posts, chronicling the difficulty she was having adjusting her postpartum body in tandem with social expectations of quickly returning it back into its pre-pregnancy form. Through Instagram posts she revealed this year of struggle by feeling ashamed while feeling pressure to “snap back” into athletic form as quickly as possible.
In her heartfelt narrative, Osaka disclosed the slow and sometimes disheartening process of losing weight, emphasizing the unrealistic standards set by society. She highlighted the importance of self-acceptance and gratitude towards her body for its strength and adaptability. Taking a 15-month break from tennis due to her pregnancy, Osaka’s return was not just a physical comeback but also a profound journey of self-discovery and appreciation for her body’s capabilities.
Osaka’s posts resonate with an ongoing discussion about postpartum body image and the pressures women face, making her openness a powerful contribution to changing narratives around pregnancy and athleticism. She poignantly thanked her body for supporting her and expressed excitement for future possibilities, showcasing an evolved perspective that embraces growth and change.
Osaka also discussed her performance challenges since returning, openly sharing feelings of disconnection from her body and frustration over not playing up to her usual standards. Yet in spite of these hurdles, Osaka remains committed to hard work and perseverance – values which she hopes her daughter, Shai will adopt; inspiring them both to dream big dreams hard work tirelessly overcome obstacles with determination – such an ethos mirrors Osaka herself perfectly.
Osaka’s success as a four-time Grand Slam champion stands in contrast with her journey through motherhood, body acceptance, and professional resilience – three aspects she shares openly on Twitter to encourage those experiencing similar difficulties navigating similar struggles, further cementing her role as an influential voice within sports and beyond.