Naomi Osaka Struggled With the Thought That She "Won’t Be a Good Mom"

Being a new mom isn't easy for anyone, but Naomi Osaka got candid in a message shared on X, saying that as she settled into motherhood, she couldn't help but face intrusive thoughts about not being good enough. The tennis pro, who announced that she's returning to competitive play later this year, is mom to 3-month-old daughter, Shai, whom she shares with rapper Cordae. Osaka opened up about "conquering" her fears and "doubts," saying that she had to "swat them away like mosquitoes" as she embraced her new role as mom and wanted to be better for her daughter and herself.

"Something I had to conquer recently is fighting the thought that I won't be a good mom," she wrote in English and in Japanese. "So many doubts raced through my head I had to swat them away like mosquitoes."

"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 added. "It's such a strange feeling watching your kid grow, you blink and they're double the size in a few months."

"Gratefulness reminds me to breathe and take in the little things (and the big ones)," she finished the message. "I'm so grateful to have another year and I'm so thankful to everyone that believes in me."

Osaka and Cordae welcomed their daughter back in July. Prior to that, she opened up in an interview with People, where she also noted that she wanted to improve herself so that she could be the best possible mother for her daughter.

"I would say for me, I just want to be the best version of myself," she said. "Obviously, I've never been a mother before so I'm taking it day-by-day and just trying to be someone that my son or daughter will be proud of."

She also gave a shoutout to the moms that were helping her even before she'd given birth, reminding everyone that it takes a village.

"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.