Naomi Osaka prioritizes daughter Shai over Cincinnati Open preparations
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 30, 2026, 4:34 AM
Last updated Aug 30, 2026
Naomi Osaka decided to skip the Cincinnati Open ahead of the US Open, citing the need to prioritize her daughter, Shai. Osaka, who arrived at Flushing Meadows, explained that she felt prepared for the Grand Slam after a satisfactory hardcourt swing, including a semifinal appearance at the Mubadala DC Open and a quarterfinal finish at the Canadian Open. Osaka humorously described her role as a mother as her main job, noting that her daughter needed her presence during this time. She will begin her US Open campaign as the No. 13 seed against Anastasia Zakharova, aiming for her first Grand Slam title since becoming a mother.
- •Osaka missed the Cincinnati Open to focus on her daughter.
- •She felt prepared for the US Open after recent tournaments.
- •Osaka is set to face Anastasia Zakharova in her first match.
- •She aims to win her first Grand Slam since giving birth.
- 4:34 AMYahoo Sports — ‘She Needed Me’ – Naomi Osaka Opens Up About Prioritizing Daughter Shai Over US Open Prep
"While her fellow WTA stars competed at the Cincinnati Open to continue their preparations for the US Open, Naomi Osaka chose to skip the WTA 1000 event. Having arrived at Flushing Meadows for the New York Major, the four-time Grand Slam champion revealed that her daughter, Shai, played a key role in the decision.
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