The 'dilemma' facing former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka after losing Miami Open first-round match to Talia Gibson
Published 22/03/2026 at 09:52 GMT
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Following defeat in her opening match at the Miami Open, Naomi Osaka is facing a "dilemma" as she seeks to balance being a mother and competing at the highest level. Former world No. 1 Osaka lost in straight sets to Australia’s Talia Gibson on Saturday. She also revealed she's been dealing with injuries on court, and also joked about her age.
Naomi Osaka during her loss to Talia Gibson at the Miami Open.
Image credit: Getty Images
Naomi Osaka admitted that she faces a ”dilemma” after losing her opening match at the Miami Open on Saturday.
The former world No. 1 lost 7-5 6-4 to Australia’s Talia Gibson, a week after losing to Aryna Sabalenka in the last 16 at Indian Wells.
When asked about her schedule for the upcoming season, Osaka revealed that she’s still weighing up a balance between family life and competing at the highest level.
"I feel like this also is a dilemma for me," Osaka told reporters. "For me, my daughter is very important, and I want to be a mum. I want to be the best mum I can, but sometimes I feel like I know what I have to do to become a really good player, and it's very difficult.
"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."
Osaka was away from tennis for 15 months following the birth of her daughter, returning to action in 2024.
The four-time Grand Slam champion reached the semi-finals of the US Open last year and withdrew before her third-round match at the 2026 Australian Open due to an abdominal injury.
Following her defeat at the Miami Open, Osaka said she will miss the Charleston Open later this month before turning her attentions to the clay court season.
”I hope I can play Madrid, Rome and then, obviously, the French Open," she said.
Osaka has revealed in recent weeks that she’s also been dealing with injuries on the court, as well as joking about her age too.
After her loss to Sabalenka at Indian Wells, she said: ”I'm at the ripe age of 28, I just have to take every day.”
Osaka looked comfortable on her serve against Gibson in the first set, losing just one point behind her first serve in the entire set and serving seven aces.
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But with the score 5-5, Osaka missed three first serves and Gibson took advantage to break and take a lead.
Gibson, 21, then broke again in the first game of the second set, and never faced break point herself in five subsequent service games to advance to the third round.
"I was able to draw on some experiences from Indian Wells to stay calm," Gibson said afterwards. "It's been really cool to see what I'm capable of, and it's really exciting for me."
Gibson will play Iva Jovic in the next round on Sunday, after 18-year-old Jovic beat former world No. 2 Paula Badosa in straight sets.
Watch and stream the 2026 French Open live on TNT Sports and HBO Max
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