Naomi Osaka.Photo: Presley Ann/Getty
Naomi Osakais opening up about a parenting struggle she “had to conquer.”
In a candid new post onX(formerly Twitter) Sunday, the tennis star, 26, revealed that she found herself feeling unconfident as a new mom.
“Something I had to conquer recently is fighting the thought that I won’t be a good mom,” she wrote in both English and Japanese. “So many doubts raced through my head I had to swat them away like mosquitoes.”
She went on to explain that looking at her 3-month-old daughter,Shai— who she shares with rapperCordae— made her realize she needed to address her feelings.
“Looking into Shai’s eyes and holding her I always think, ‘Wow this little person depends on me so much, I have to do better,’ " she continued. “It’s such a strange feeling watching your kid grow, you blink and they’re double the size in a few months.”
She said she’s making sure she remembers to “breathe” and be present in the moment.
“Gratefulness reminds me to breathe and take in the little things (and the big ones),” she concluded. “I’m so grateful to have another year and I’m so thankful to everyone that believes in me.”
Naomi Osaka/Instagram
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For inspiration and advice, she said she was already turning to the seasoned moms within her circle. “There are several mothers in my life, all at different phases of motherhood. It’s been nice having them share recommendations and tips along the way,” she said.
When Osaka firstannounced her pregnancyin January, she was already imagining the moment in the future when her daughter would be among the faces in the crowd watching her play.
“I realize that life is so short and I don’t take any moments for granted, every day is a new blessing and adventure,” she wrote onInstagramat the time. “I know that I have so much to look forward to in the future, one thing I’m looking forward to is for my kid to watch one of my matches and tell someone, ‘That’s my mom.’ "
Instagram/naomiosaka
Last month, while making a visit to Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York City during the U.S. Open, Osaka said she was already feeling the “itch” to pick up her racquet and get on the court again, only two months postpartum.
“I feel a lot of joy coming back here. It’s kind of like seeing an old friend I haven’t seen in a long time.” she toldESPN. “I went through the little players' tunnel, but obviously, I’m not playing. It made me itch to want to play again, but I guess I’ll have to wait until next year.”
source: people.com
