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Naomi Osaka Reflects On Past Doubts Of Being A 'Good Mom' & Choosing The 'Correct Path' In Life

Tennis star Naomi Osaka is getting real about the ebbs and flows of motherhood.

The 26-year-old took to X to share her parenting struggle in a candid post just days after her birthday. In the screenshot notes, Osaka opened up about the passing of time and her decision to take a more “scenic” path to life as an alternative to her sports-dominated pursuits.

“Randomly I wonder if I’m doing okay, is there a correct path to take in life or have I veered off onto the scenic route for a little bit,” she writes in English and Japanese. “However, I’ve now come into the mindset that I can only keep moving forward and everything that will be, will be.”

The four-time Grand Slam singles champion continued by sharing how she’s had to overcome thoughts of self-doubt about being a “good mom,” emphasizing the strange feeling of watching a child grow and the need to be present in the moment.

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

She goes on to share that these reflections were brought on by the look in her 3-month-old daughter, Shai’s eyes, whom she shares with rapper Cordae. "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 continued. "It's such a strange feeling watching your kid grow, you blink and they're double the size in a few months."

In July, Osaka and her rapper boyfriend, Cordae welcomed their baby girl into the world. Since announcing her pregnancy, Osaka has been transparent about her journey into parenthood, telling PEOPLE her hopes to “be the best version” of herself as a new mother just months before her daughter’s arrival. "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 told the publication then.

The tennis star concluded her post writing how gratitude has helped her appreciate both the small and significant aspects of life. "Gratefulness reminds me to breathe and take in the little things (and the big ones)," she adds. "I'm so grateful to have another year and I'm so thankful to everyone that believes in me."

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Featured image by Presley Ann/Getty Images for Victoria's Secret

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