Naomi Osaka delivered one of the biggest wins of her Wimbledon career and gave an unexpected reason for her success. After beating world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-2, 7-6(2), the four-time Grand Slam champion thanked her mother for keeping her fueled with home-cooked meals.
The victory earned Osaka her first-ever Wimbledon quarterfinal appearance. It also ended a frustrating run against Sabalenka after three straight losses earlier this season. Following the match, the Haitian-Japanese tennis star smiled as she shared the secret behind her strong performance.
“My mom’s over there,” Osaka said after the match. “She cooks a lot and I feel like her cooking is powering me. Mom, I would really appreciate another meal tonight. Thank you so much.”
Naomi Osaka’s Wimbledon Victory Ends Losing Streak Against Aryna Sabalenka
Osaka looked confident from the opening serve against Sabalenka. She controlled the first set before holding her nerve in a tense second-set tiebreak to secure the straight-sets victory.
Moreover, the win carried extra meaning because Sabalenka had beaten Osaka three times already this year. Turning the tables on the world’s top-ranked player showed just how much progress Osaka has made on grass courts.
After the match, Osaka also celebrated another important part of her routine.
“A bunch of Japanese food, so shout out Japanese food,” she said with a laugh.
Family Support and Coaching Help Naomi Osaka Shine
While Osaka praised her mother’s cooking, she also highlighted the impact of her new coach, Tomasz Wiktorowski. She credited him with helping her improve her game on grass and bringing fresh confidence to her performances.
The former world No. 1 said she has rediscovered her joy for tennis. That renewed mindset was clear throughout her match against Sabalenka.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve had so much fun on the court, and to do it here, it really means a lot,” Osaka said. “Going into this match, I lost to her three times in a row, so that really sucked. I wanted to turn it over, and I’m really glad I had the opportunity to do that.”
Next, Osaka will face Karolina Muchova as she continues her bid for a first Wimbledon title.
Naomi Osaka’s Journey From New Mom to Wimbledon Quarterfinalist
Osaka’s return to top-level tennis has become even more inspiring because of her journey off the court. Born in Japan to a Japanese mother and Haitian father, she moved to the United States with her family when she was three years old.
In July 2023, Osaka welcomed her daughter, Shai, with rapper Cordae. Since becoming a mother, she has often spoken about how her outlook on life and tennis has changed.
At one point, Osaka believed motherhood would mark the end of her tennis career. However, that thinking changed during her pregnancy.
“I was one of those people that thought when I had a kid I would stop playing tennis,” Osaka said in a previous interview with People.
Instead of stepping away, she found a new source of motivation.
“While I was pregnant, I was kind of very inspired. I also wanted my daughter to be able to see me play tennis. It was such a big part of my life and I feel like she doesn’t know it, but she definitely inspired me to continue.”
Naomi Osaka Continues Inspiring Fans On and Off the Court
Osaka’s latest Wimbledon run reflects more than improved tennis. It highlights the role that family, culture, and determination continue to play in her success.
From praising her mother’s cooking to embracing motherhood as motivation, Osaka has shown that victories often begin long before an athlete steps onto the court. As she prepares for the quarterfinals, fans will be watching to see if her remarkable Wimbledon journey continues.
