In a candid interview with Glamour, tennis star Naomi Osaka opened up about the transformative impact of motherhood on her life and career, emphasizing the need for paid parental leave as she prepares to make her comeback at the Australian Open.
Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, disclosed her pregnancy during the 2022 Australian Open and welcomed her daughter, Shai, in July 2023 with rapper Cordae.
After becoming a mother, she returned to the court earlier this month at the Brisbane International, where she faced a defeat by three-time champion Karolina Pliskova in the second round.
The interview highlighted Osaka’s call for the implementation of paid parental leave in the United States. As a resident of the U.S., she was startled to learn that it lacks a national paid parental leave policy, placing it among the few countries without such provisions.
Osaka expressed her shock at the statistics and emphasized the importance of taking time to process significant life events, especially after giving birth. She stated:
“I’m lucky enough to not have to go straight into work, but I needed that time to process everything that’s happened and, of course, get to know my baby.”
The statistics indicate that about 73% of Americans do not have paid leave through their workplaces, compelling one in four women to return to work within two weeks of giving birth due to the absence of paid leave. The U.S. is notably one of only six countries globally without a national paid parental leave program.
Osaka, in collaboration with the baby formula brand Bobbie, is using her platform to advocate for paid family and medical leave in the U.S. The tennis star is leveraging her influence to raise awareness and push for federal paid leave, joining forces with Glamour and Paid Leave for All to petition Congress.
In alignment with Bobbie’s ad campaign, Osaka and the brand are offering financial awards to 50 families, aiming to provide short-term assistance while amplifying the importance of paid leave.
Reflecting on her postpartum journey, Osaka shared the challenges and transformative experiences she encountered. Motherhood has changed her perspective, making her feel stronger and more resilient. She spoke about the heightened pain tolerance and newfound confidence, stating:
“I just feel like I can do anything, and nothing will bother me, and the pain tolerance has definitely increased a lot from that. I just don’t really care about other people’s opinions anymore.”
Osaka’s journey through pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum recovery has given her a deeper understanding of the expectations placed on mothers. She emphasized the need for mothers to assert themselves and reclaim their identities, recognizing the strength and resilience that define motherhood.
As she returns to competitive tennis, Naomi Osaka is not just making a comeback on the court but is also using her voice to advocate for societal changes, particularly in the realm of parental leave policies in the United States.
