Naomi Osaka’s return to the tennis court has been far from smooth after giving birth.
While many fans have followed her on-court journey, few may realize the profound challenges she has faced off the court, particularly regarding her body post-pregnancy. The Japanese tennis star recently shared her heartfelt experiences, shedding light on the resilience she has developed through this transformative period in her life.
Osaka’s most recent competitive outing was at the China Open, where she had to withdraw from her fourth-round match against fellow athlete Coco Gauff due to a back injury. This unfortunate setback has kept her off the courts for longer than she anticipated, but it has also allowed her the time to reflect on her personal journey as a new mother.
Photo: Instagram.com/naomiosaka In July 2023, Naomi welcomed her first daughter, Shai, with her longtime boyfriend, rapper Cordae. This monumental life event has undeniably changed Osaka’s perspective both as an athlete and as a woman.
Taking to social media, Osaka has become increasingly vocal about her post-pregnancy journey, particularly the struggles she faced regarding her body image. In a profound Instagram post, she shared a series of images that showcased her transformation from the weight gain associated with pregnancy to her current form, which reflects her commitment to fitness and self-acceptance over the past year.
Photo: Instagram.com/naomiosaka “I wanted to say ‘body changes throughout the year’ but it actually means a lot more to me than that,” Osaka candidly wrote, underscoring the emotional weight of her journey. She went on to express her feelings of shame and vulnerability, acknowledging that there were moments when she struggled to embrace her new body.
Read her post:
Honestly I don’t really know what to caption this post. I wanted to say “body changes throughout the year” but it actually means a lot more to me than that. There were moments this year where I felt really ashamed of my body, (for example when I had to wear form fitting tennis clothes lol).
I was also constantly struggling with this overwhelming urge to “snapback”, seeing other mom’s seemingly shrink immediately after having their baby was an expectation I began to put on myself. That self comparison always hurt because I felt as an athlete I should be losing weight quicker than most, I was in the gym everyday so that thought didn’t feel too unrealistic.
Most weeks would feel similar to the previous week and the weight didn’t disappear overnight so it was a bit disheartening. To get to the point I’m at now was definitely a journey, an adventure I know that I’m still embracing. All bodies are different and I appreciate mine for how it is. My body has done so much for me and adapted so well to the tasks that I’m asking from it, I’m extremely grateful and thankful. While typing this I realized that if I had to title this post it would be super long and go like- “thank you body for the journey over the past year, I’m excited to learn more about what you’re capable of in the years to come ❤️” haha.
By openly discussing her body struggles, Naomi Osaka empowers countless women who face similar challenges.
As a public figure in the world of sports, her willingness to address the complexities of motherhood, body image, and self-acceptance paves the way for important conversations on these topics.
In fact, Osaka’s journey serves as a reminder that resilience isn’t just about physical strength but also about embracing personal growth and self-love.
