Tennis champion Naomi Osaka is juggling the Australian Open and the devastating Los Angeles wildfires, which have impacted her family’s home.
The four-time Grand Slam winner took swift action to ensure her 18-month-old daughter Shai’s birth certificate was safe, sending someone to retrieve it from her LA residence while she competed thousands of miles away in Melbourne.
Osaka, 27, revealed during a post-match interview on Jan. 13, after advancing to the second round by defeating Caroline Garcia of France, that the fires have weighed heavily on her.
“Honestly, I don’t think I’ve been doing the greatest keeping focus, but obviously I won, so I think it’s an acceptable job,” Osaka shared, sporting an LA Dodgers cap and a purple Lakers jersey to show solidarity with her home city. “There’s so many things—keepsakes and stuff like that. My home is more of a home now because I have memories with my daughter.”
Osaka’s home is just three blocks away from the fire’s path, adding to her concerns for the safety of her family and community.
Grateful but Concerned
Despite the challenges, Osaka expressed gratitude that her loved ones, including Shai, are safe.
“The biggest thing I am grateful for is that everyone in my family is safe,” she said. “I don’t feel like it’s safe enough to go back there. It’s kind of a little bit in limbo—but also motivating me to hopefully stay here as long as I can.”
Osaka welcomed Shai in July 2023 with rapper Cordae, her now ex-partner. The couple announced their breakup earlier this month.
Support for Los Angeles
Osaka, who represents Japan in competitions but has lived in the U.S. since early childhood, also took time to acknowledge her LA community.
“Sending all my love to LA,” she said, emphasizing how eye-opening the experience has been. “We hear about fires, but I didn’t know how devastating it could be. I hope everyone’s doing well.”
Osaka and fellow tennis star Coco Gauff have shown solidarity by writing “LA” with a heart on courtside camera lenses.
While balancing personal concerns, Osaka is determined to compete for her fifth Grand Slam title, using the turmoil as motivation to excel on the court.
