Naomi Osaka's Daughter Shai Made Her Realize She ‘Couldn’t Be More Proud’ of Herself After U.S. Open Loss

Whatever happens on the tennis court, Naomi Osaka continues to celebrate one of her greatest victories: becoming a mom.

Two days after her time competing at the 2024 US Open ended on Thursday, August 29, with a tough second-round loss, the tennis star shared an Instagram post about motherhood and sports.

Along with photos taken during her match against Karolína Muchova, Osaka, 26, wrote about how her one-year-old daughter Shai, who she shares with boyfriend Cordae, influenced her mindset after the defeat.

“Honestly, I wrote a whole headline about how disappointed I was in myself,” she wrote, “but I was sitting here playing with my daughter and I realized I couldn’t be more proud of myself.”

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“I gave birth to such an amazing man and I played the US Open? A win is a win,” she continued. “Of course it didn’t work out this time, but I believe it will in the end. Thanks NY 🖤 see you next time.”

The tennis pro — who dominated the US Open fashion scene with her ruffled ensembles — added her message with a clip of Rihanna’s speech from the 2014 CFDA Fashion Awards, where she accepted the Style Icon award.

In the clip, Rihanna recalls the defense mechanism she used as a child, telling the crowd, “I remember thinking, ‘She can beat me, but she can’t beat my clothes.’ ”

Osaka also reposted the clip on Instagram Stories, where she added, “And it’s real.”

Naomi Osaka poses with her daughter Shai.

Bobby

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After the loss, the tennis star revealed at the post-match press conference that she was “really disappointed,” per Sports Illustrated.

Earlier this summer, Osaka spoke to PEOPLE about how she prioritizes her health as an athlete and new mom to Shai, who she and her rapper boyfriend welcomed in July 2023.

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Naomi Osaka plays at the US Open on August 29.

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“As an athlete, my health has always been a priority, and even more so now that I’m returning to tennis after my daughter,” she told PEOPLE at the time. “I’m learning new ways to take care of myself both on and off the field, not only for myself, but for my family.”

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Source: HIS Education