“I just don’t really care about other people’s opinions any more” – Naomi Osaka on new attitude

Naomi Osaka returns to the site of two of her previous Grand Slam triumphs this month with an entirely new outlook on life – presented to her by motherhood.

“I feel so strong,” she said in an interview with Glamour ahead of the Australian Open. “People talk about childbirth, but it’s different once you experience it. I just feel like I can do anything and nothing will bother me, and the pain tolerance has definitely increased a lot from that. I just don’t really care about other people’s opinions anymore.”

Osaka has been unafraid in the past to speak publicly on issues that matter to her, and her words in this interview suggest that being a parent might give her even more impetus to be vocal.

“It’s weird because I’ve lived most of my life, I guess, listening to my parents or always feeling the pressure of wanting to make them proud or make other people proud,” she added. “And I don’t know when it happened, but I just started wanting to do things for myself. It’s a growing-up moment.

“Even from last year to this year, I feel like a completely different person. Just finding my voice and knowing what I want to stand for, and knowing the things that are important to me is something that I’ve had to learn throughout the years.”

Osaka gave birth to daughter Shai last year, and returned to action in Brisbane this month.

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