"I had to hold her for a while": Naomi Osaka reflects on daughter Shai's sleepless night before her US Open 1R, cherishes more such "precious" moments
Naomi Osaka claimed a big win at the 2024 US Open, taking out 10th seed Jelena Ostapenko in her opening match. She was in control of the proceedings, coming through in straight sets 6-3, 6-2.
And she turned in that performance with a less-than-ideal amount of sleep it would seem. During her post-match on-court interview, Osaka spoke about her daughter Shai being unable to sleep the night before the encounter.
The 26-year-old said she had to be up with her daughter before joking that she chose the perfect night to not sleep at her regular bedtime.
"At night, my daughter didn’t wanna go to sleep at her bedtime so I had to hold her for a while," Naomi Osaka said. "I was like ‘oh wow she picked the perfect day to not go to sleep.'"
The two-time US Open champion, who returned to the sport after her maternity leave last year, however, was quick to add that she treasures these moments with her family.
"Moments like that are so precious to me. I can only hope I keep having more," Osaka added.
"I feel like I have no other choice but to play well" - Naomi Osaka on playing big names after US Open 1R win
Naomi Osaka also reflected on her performance in the opening round. Facing the 10th seed Jelena Ostapenko, she said, makes her feel like she needs to bring out her best game to have any shot at winning the Grand Slam.
The Japanese player said she also likes to do away with expectations coming into a match like this, where she is taking on a big name or seed (Ostapenko in this case), and just focus on the tennis.
"I would definitely say I'm not sure if it's motivation or if I feel like I have no other choice but to play well," Naomi Osaka said. "And then it gets rid of all the expectations and all the pressure I put on myself, because I know, no matter what, the tennis is going to be really great tennis, even if I win or lose."
"That's kind of my mindset whenever I play seeded players or really good players," she added.
Osaka will next take on Karolina Muchova in the second round. The Czech, who made the semifinals at the US Open last year, came through a straight-sets win over home hope Katie Volynets in her opening encounter.