Naomi Osaka opens on conquering the doubts and insecurities of new motherhood

A week after turning 26, Naomi Osaka is waxing poetic. The four-time Grand Slam champion penned a heartfelt note on social media Sunday reflecting on the passage of time, and the feelings of insecurities and doubts she's had to overcome as a new mom.

Osaka gave birth to a daughter, Shai, whom she shares with rapper Cordae, in July, and like all first-time parents, the former world No. 1 admitted to struggling with all that comes along with a life-changing event as she reflected more broadly on her recent birthday.

"Something I had to conquer recently is fighting the thought that I won't be a good mom," she wrote in both English and 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 continued. "It's such a strange feeling watching your kid grow, you blink and they're double the size in a few months."

Osaka has made longform birthday posts to fans something of a habit in recent years, and though Sunday's note came accompanied by a simple "twosix" caption featuring a red heart emoji, the Japanese star shared some deep thoughts, and alluded to on how much her life has shifted seismically in the last 12 months, beginning with the announcement of her pregnancy in January.

"Where has the time gone?" Osaka wrote. "I look back on my life and it feels like I'm rewinding an old VHS tape; it flashes by so quickly and suddenly I'm here in the present. I often try to retrace my steps to figure out how I ended up here. I know I say this often, but I truly still feel like that kid playing on public courts in Queens, N.Y.

"Randomly, I wonder if I'm doing OK; is there a correct path to take in life or have I veered off onto the scene route for a little bit? However, I've now come into the mindset that I can only keep moving forward and everything that will be, will be."

But as she trains for an ambitious return to tennis in 2024, Osaka says her biggest takeaway from this time of change has been gratitude. She signed off by thanking those who've stuck by her through it all, with an optimistic look forward.

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