Naomi Osaka hinted at retirement once again after her Miami Open second-round defeat. The former world No. 1 lost to Talia Gibson, 5-7 4-6. The four-time Grand Slam winner blew two break points early in the match. Then in the second set, she dropped the opening two games. Gibson managed to get a lead of a set and a break, sealing her win eventually.
Naomi Osaka spoke about possibly retiring from the WTA circuit. (Getty Images via AFP)
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Speaking in the post-match press conference, Osaka stated that if she were to lose in the first round, she would rather retire than continue playing on the Tour.
"For me, like I said last year, I’m not going to stay on the Tour if I’m losing in the first round. I’d rather just be a great mom and be there for my daughter. Because for me, I want to win titles and I want to be the best player I can, but if I have to sacrifice having a lot of time with my daughter, I’d rather not do it," she said.
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Revealing her upcoming plans, she said, "I'm not going to play Charleston. I hope I can play Madrid, Rome and then obviously the French Open."
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Revealing her upcoming plans, she said, "I'm not going to play Charleston. I hope I can play Madrid, Rome and then obviously the French Open."
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Osaka was ranked No. 1 in the world for 25 weeks, starting in January 2019. She became the first Asian player to hold the top singles ranking.
During her career, she has won 7 singles titles, including 4 Grand Slams (2 Australian Open titles and the US Open). She is also the first Japanese player to clinch a Grand Slam singles title.
She returned to the tour in 2024, 15 months after the birth of her daughter. She reached the US Open semis last year. Then she withdrew ahead of her third-round Australian Open match this year due to an abdominal injury. At the Indian Wells, she lost to Aryna Sabalenka in the pre-quarterfinals.
Neelav Chakravarti has been part of the digital sports team at Hindustan Times since 2022, where he covers a wide range of disciplines, including chess, cricket, football, and Olympic sports. Working in a fast-paced digital newsroom, he regularly handles live blogs, breaking updates, and trending stories, combining speed with clarity to keep readers informed in real time. Chess remains both a professional beat and a personal passion for Neelav, and he closely tracks major international tournaments, player narratives, and emerging talents. He is particularly fascinated by the patience, calculation, and strategic depth the game demands, often exploring the psychological side of competition in his writing. Beyond sports journalism, Neelav has a deep interest in visual storytelling and filmmaking, actively participating in film festivals and engaging with independent cinema. He is especially drawn to films that capture the subtleties of everyday life and human relationships, appreciating storytelling that balances realism with emotional depth. This creative interest complements his approach to sports coverage, where he enjoys highlighting the human stories behind performances and results.
A history enthusiast by academic training, Neelav holds a bachelor’s degree in the subject and maintains a sustained interest in ancient and medieval Indian history, particularly in cultural and social transitions across eras. His curiosity about the past often shapes his perspective on contemporary narratives and long-form storytelling. When he isn’t tracking scores or developing storylines, Neelav enjoys spending time over the chessboard, relaxing with his cats, or listening to the Empire podcast by Anita Anand and William Dalrymple. He also enjoys reading long-form sports writing that explores the emotional and cultural layers of sport, while maintaining a quiet routine that balances reading, reflection, and occasional time with friends.
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Stay updated with the latest sports news, including latest headlines and updates from the Olympics 2024, where Indian athletes will compete for glory in Paris. Catch all the action from tennis Grand Slam tournaments, follow your favourite football teams and players with the latest match results, and get the latest on international hockey tournaments and series.
Home/Sports/Tennis/Naomi Osaka drops retirement hint after Miami Open exit: ‘I’m not going stay on the Tour'
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