Naomi Osaka Denies Retirement Rumors: “I Am Not Retiring”…

In a statement that has cleared up weeks of speculation, tennis star Naomi Osaka has firmly declared that she is *not* retiring from professional tennis. The 26-year-old Japanese-American player addressed the swirling rumors that had sparked concern among fans and the media, calling them “fake news” and emphasizing that she remains focused on her career.

Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, took to social media to put an end to the persistent reports that had hinted at her possible retirement. The rumors, which had been circulating for several weeks, gained traction after Osaka had stepped away from competitive tennis in 2023 to focus on her personal life and business ventures, including her burgeoning fashion line and her advocacy for mental health awareness.

In her post, Osaka stated: “I am not retiring. I know there has been a lot of speculation and fake news lately, but I want to make it clear that my journey is far from over. I’m taking time for myself, and I’m excited about what comes next.”

The rumors about her retirement began after Osaka withdrew from the 2023 Australian Open due to pregnancy. She and her partner, rapper Cordae, announced in January that they were expecting their first child. Osaka’s absence from the tour in the subsequent months fueled further speculation about her future in the sport, with some outlets suggesting that she might not return to tennis after becoming a mother.

Despite taking a step back from the sport to embrace motherhood, Osaka has consistently maintained that she would be returning to the WTA circuit once she felt ready. Her fans, while supportive of her personal decisions, had expressed concern over whether she would ever make a full return to top-level competition.

Osaka, whose explosive rise to the top of the sport began with her 2018 US Open win, has been a dominant figure in tennis since then. She has become not only a symbol of sporting excellence but also a voice for mental health awareness, openly discussing her struggles with depression and anxiety in 2021, which led to her decision to take breaks from tournaments.

With this latest announcement, Osaka has quelled doubts about her tennis future and reaffirmed her commitment to the sport. Fans are now eagerly awaiting her return to the court, as they celebrate her decision to continue pursuing her career on her own terms. As one of the most exciting talents of her generation, Osaka’s next move in the tennis world remains one of the most highly anticipated comebacks in the sport.