Tennis fans around the globe are reeling after superstar Naomi Osaka made a bold and brutally honest statement in a recent interview: **“Tennis isn’t my priority anymore.”**
The four-time Grand Slam champion and former World No. 1 sat down with *Time* magazine to discuss her post-maternity comeback, shifting perspectives, and life off the court. But it was this single, unfiltered remark that set social media ablaze:
> “I’m still passionate about playing, but tennis doesn’t define me the way it used to. My priorities have changed—my daughter, my mental health, and living a balanced life come first. Tennis isn’t my #1 anymore.”
Within hours, Osaka’s quote began trending worldwide, drawing a wave of heated responses from fans, pundits, and fellow athletes. While many applauded her honesty and personal growth, others questioned her dedication to the sport.
Critics were quick to pounce:
> “If tennis isn’t her priority, then why take up a spot in the rankings?” one Twitter user wrote.
> “Osaka is setting a terrible example for younger players who dream of going pro,” another commented.
Yet just as many rushed to her defense. Fellow WTA star Coco Gauff tweeted:
> “Athletes are *people* too. Naomi has the right to define success on her own terms.”
Since her return to the WTA Tour in early 2025, Osaka has shown flashes of brilliance but has also struggled with consistency—something she attributes to both physical recovery and mental realignment after childbirth.
In the same interview, Osaka emphasized that stepping back doesn’t mean stepping away:
> “I still love competing. I still want to win. But I’m no longer willing to sacrifice everything else in my life to do it.”
As debates rage across TV panels and comment sections, Osaka’s comments reignite larger questions in modern sports: What does commitment look like in an era of mental health awareness, parental responsibility, and athlete empowerment?
Love it or hate it, Naomi Osaka isn’t just redefining her game—she’s redefining what it means to be a champion on *her* terms.
