Former Tennis World No. 1 Naomi Osaka Says She Expecting Child No. 1

By Barry Janoff

Photo: WTAJanuary 11, 2023: Naomi Osaka said today she is pregnant with partner and rapper Cordae with her first child and would miss the 2023 tennis season.

The news comes days before the start of the Australian Open Grand Slam, which Osaka has won twice (2019, 2021).

She withdrew from the tournament several days ago and initially gave no specific reason. She now says she is eying a return in 2024.

"The past few years have been interesting to say the least, but I find that it’s the most challenging times in life that may be the most fun," Osaka, a former No. 1 ranked player and four-time Grand Slam winner, posted to social media.

"These few months away from the sport has really given me a new love and appreciation for the game l've dedicated my life to. I realize that life is so short and I don't take any moments for granted, everyday is a new blessing and adventure.

"I know that I have so much to look forward to in the future, one thing I'm looking forward to is for my kid to watch one of my matches and tell someone, 'that's my mom' haha.

"2023 will be a year that'll be full of lessons for me and I hope I'll see you guys in the start of the next one cause I'II be at Aus 2024. Love you all infinitely."

Ash Barty, another former No. 1 player and since retired, last week said she was pregnant.

The Australian Open (Jan. 16-29, 2023 ESPN, Tennis Channel) will also be without such high-profile players as men’s ATP Tour world No. 1 ranked Carlos Alcaraz (semimembranosus muscle injury in his right leg), Venus Williams (due to an unspecified injury suffered while playing at the ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand), Reilly Opelka (hip and ankle injuries) and Simona Halep (due to a drug-test related suspension, which she is challenging).

Also missing will be Serena Williams, who has won the Australian Open seven times, and six-time Australian Open winner Roger Federer, who both retired last year.

Photo: KinloOsaka, who also has won the U.S. Open Grand Slam twice (2018, 2020), has been the highest-paid woman athlete in the world over the past two year.

Osaka played in just a dozen Holgoic WTA Tour events in 2022, but still earned more than $50 million, tops among all women athletes, according to Forbes.

Osaka’s total of $51.1 million was off slightly from 2021 ($54 million), but it was her off-court endeavors that kept her atop the list, with $50 million coming from such alliances as Nike, Nissan Motor, Tag Heuer, Louis Vuitton, All Nippon Airways, MasterCard, BodyArmor, Hyperice, Beats by Dre, Panasonic and Kinlo, her own skin care line "designed specifically for women of color."

She was followed by Serena Williams, with more than $40 million.

Forbes: Naomi, Serena, Eileen Gu Top List Of 2022 Highest-Paid Female Athletes

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