Osaka Loses in Miami Open, Eyes Tennis Hiatus for Motherhood

Naomi Osaka, the four-time Grand Slam champion, suffered an early exit from the 2026 Miami Open on Saturday, losing 7-5, 6-4 to Australian qualifier Talia Gibson in the second round. The 16th-seeded Japanese player, who received a first-round bye, expressed serious doubts about her long-term future in tennis afterward, emphasizing her growing prioritization of motherhood over the demands of professional competition.

Osaka, 28, struggled throughout the match against the 21-year-old Gibson, who maintained composure to secure breaks in the first set at 5-5 and the second set's opening game. Gibson saved all four break points she faced and was not broken once, advancing to face American teenager Iva Jovic in the third round. The victory marked Gibson's fourth top-20 win in three weeks, following her run to the quarterfinals at Indian Wells as a qualifier.

In a post-match press conference, Osaka opened up about the personal challenges of balancing her career with family life. She gave birth to her daughter, Shai, in July 2023 and returned to the WTA Tour in early 2024 after a 15-month hiatus. While her 2025 season showed promise, with semifinal appearances at the US Open and a final...