Naomi Osaka: “I have this thing about making history”

Naomi Osaka talked to Nick Kyrgios about her career, her ambitions, and her mental health

Naomi Osaka at the Billie Jean King Cup in 2024 (Aflo/Panoramic)

April 23, 2024

As the first Asian player to be ranked No 1 in the world, and as a four-time Grand Slam champion, Naomi Osaka knows her name will be in the record books forever.

And, as she told Nick Kyrgios on his vodcast ‘Good Trouble’, that’s what motivates her.

“I have this thing about making history. I don’t want my name to be erased. I want to be remembered at least in one small way.”

She added that this sometimes increased the pressure she feels.

“I have to keep doing things and in that way I put a lot of stress on myself.”

The 26-year-old also mentioned how having her daughter Shai has clarified her perspective on this – having said earlier in the episode that she now uses her practice time in a more focused way because she needs to get home.

“That’s the ultimate goal – I know I’m not going to be here forever and the only thing is to keep making life easier and better for the generation that comes after you. I would hope that Shai has more opportunities than me.”

Osaka: I was sad when I beat Venus and Serena

Osaka talked about how she had admired the Williams sisters growing up, and admitted that when she played and beat both women, it was almost an anti-climax.

“I dreamed the moment so many times, to finally experience it in real life kind of felt like I was watching myself on TV. A bit out of body but also a little sad, I felt sad for them, I’m sure they were going to feel sad losing to me because I was a nobody at that moment!”

For his part, Kyrgios talked about how impressed he was with the way that Osaka protects her mental health.

“You dealt with the whirlwind a little better,” he said of the media interest in her. “You took the time away from the sport that you needed to do, that I was afraid to do. If I’d dealt with my mental health a little better, maybe I would have been more successful.

“I can see myself getting back to a level where I’m competing for Grand Slams, but I wouldn’t change a thing.”

And when Kyrgios said that he particularly enjoyed creating chaos on the court – “People want to see something crazy with me” – Osaka was quick to advise otherwise: “I feel like that’s a lot of negative energy.”