In a revelation that has stunned the sports world, four-time Grand Slam champion **Naomi Osaka** made a deeply personal confession during a recent interview: **she never truly loved tennis**—the very sport that catapulted her to international fame and fortune.
Speaking candidly on a new episode of the *”Mind of a Champion”* podcast, Osaka reflected on her career, mental health battles, and her evolving relationship with the game that made her a household name.
> “I don’t think I ever actually *loved* tennis,” Osaka admitted. “I loved competing. I loved winning. But the sport itself… it felt like something I was doing because I was good at it, not because I felt passionate about it.”
The emotional admission comes just months after her return to the WTA Tour following maternity leave. While Osaka has expressed renewed joy in being on the court since becoming a mother, she also acknowledged that her early years in the sport were marked by pressure, expectation, and a lack of emotional connection to the game.
Fans and fellow athletes are reacting with a mix of support and shock. Tennis legend Billie Jean King responded via social media:
> “Naomi’s honesty is powerful. Not every champion grows up loving the sport. What matters is how they inspire, and she’s inspired millions.”
Osaka’s comments shine a light on a recurring theme in elite sports: the fine line between talent, passion, and pressure. Her struggles with mental health have been widely publicized, especially following her withdrawal from the 2021 French Open, which sparked global conversations around athlete well-being.
Despite the confession, Osaka emphasized that she has a newfound perspective:
> “Now, as a mother, I see tennis differently. It’s something I want to enjoy—not something I have to survive.”
While some critics may question her commitment, many are praising Osaka’s vulnerability as yet another courageous step in redefining what it means to be a modern athlete.
Whether this signals a permanent shift in her career priorities or simply a deeper self-awareness, one thing is certain: Naomi Osaka’s voice continues to reshape the narrative in sports, on and off the court.
