Naomi Osaka Spotlighted in New Documentary, Embraces Motherhood at US Open

NEW YORK, September 1, 2025 - Tennis superstar Naomi Osaka is redefining her career through motherhood in the new Nike-backed documentary Naomi Osaka: The Second Set, which premiered on August 24 and premiered on Tubi. Released just days before her return to the U.S. Open fourth round, the film chronicles Osaka’s journey through postpartum recovery and her determination to balance elite competition with life as a new mother to daughter Shai.

The documentary opens with candid reflections on the excruciating realities of childbirth, as Osaka recounts the physical and emotional hurdles she faced in July 2023 when Shai was born. She challenges traditional notions of a “comeback,” asserting that motherhood represents a “personal evolution”-a concept experts term matrescence-rather than simply a return to her pre-baby self.

As Osaka prepares for her match at Arthur Ashe Stadium, audiences see glimpses of her rigorous training regimen just three months after giving birth. “A comeback doesn’t allow for growth,” she explains on screen. “I aspire to be a different and improved version of myself.” The film interweaves candid behind-the-scenes footage with heartfelt interviews from fellow athletes and family, illustrating how Osaka’s identity as a mother fuels her ambition on court.

On Monday, Osaka’s performance in the U.S. Open fourth round marked her deepest Grand Slam run since winning the Australian Open in 2021. Under the floodlights of Flushing Meadows, she demonstrated renewed mental fortitude, crediting the support of her daughter and the lessons of early motherhood for her resilience.

With The Second Set, Naomi Osaka invites viewers not only into her postpartum struggles but also into a broader conversation about the modern athlete-mother’s experience, signaling a powerful chapter in her evolving legacy.