Naomi Osaka Returns to the US Open as a Mother and Player

Naomi Osaka, one of Japan's most successful tennis players, has said that her priority now is being a mother, describing professional tennis as her side job rather than her main focus.

Osaka is set to compete in the upcoming US Open, one of tennis's four Grand Slam tournaments, where the men's and women's singles draws begin on 31 August. Fans and commentators alike are hoping to see her mount a full comeback, returning to the dominant form that once made her a multiple Grand Slam champion.

Since becoming a mother, Osaka has continued to balance family life with her tennis career, and her comments highlight how her priorities have shifted even as she remains active on the professional circuit.

The tournament will also feature Japan's top-ranked male player, Shimabukuro Sho, who is looking to make his mark on the sport's biggest stage. In his opening match, Shimabukuro will face the tournament's 26th seed, a challenging matchup given the seed's higher ranking and stronger recent form.

Ahead of the match, Shimabukuro expressed his ambition clearly, saying he wants to achieve a breakthrough at this year's tournament and climb further up the world rankings. Such a result against a seeded opponent would mark a significant step forward for his career and for Japanese men's tennis more broadly.

Japanese tennis fans will therefore be watching the US Open with particular interest this year, following both Osaka's continuing comeback story and Shimabukuro's attempt to establish himself among the sport's leading men. The tournament represents an important opportunity for both players to demonstrate progress on one of tennis's most prestigious stages, drawing attention from fans and media across Japan and beyond as the competition unfolds over the coming weeks.