NEED TO KNOW
Naomi Osaka’s life is intimately documented in Tubi’s new documentary, Naomi Osaka: The Second Set, which premieres on Aug. 24 exclusively on the platform
The tennis star opens up about balancing a professional tennis career and becoming a first-time mom since welcoming her daughter, Shai, in July 2023
Osaka proves that she’s “more than just an athlete,” which she makes clear in the teaser
Naomi Osaka is unstoppable.
The tennis star’s life takes center court in Tubi’s upcoming documentary, Naomi Osaka: The Second Set, which intimately documents the balance between her professional tennis career and becoming a first-time mom.
Produced by Hana Kuma and Nike, the project — which premieres on Aug. 24 exclusively on the platform — is described as a “love letter” to the athlete’s daughter, Shai, who she welcomed with rapper Cordae in July 2023.
“I’m a tennis player, but I’m more than just an athlete,” Naomi, 27, says at the start of the trailer. “I’ve never had a life outside of tennis,” she adds.
Tubi
Naomi Osaka in “The Second Set” on Tubi
Naomi’s mom, Tamaki Osaka, can be heard explaining in the teaser how Venus and Serena Williams influenced their decision to get their daughters started in tennis. Naomi has one sibling, older sister Mari Osaka, who is a former pro in the sport.
Having a family was Naomi’s “biggest dream,” she revealed in the clip, adding, “I always wanted to be a mom.”
“I know physically I’m not where I want to be,” Naomi says, before the scene cuts to a commentator stating that she lost the Australian Open.
The tennis star recalled a “voice” in her head, placing doubt in her mind and her dreams. “Who are you to think that you can come back?” she recalled hearing.
“So I think I’m going to have to fight really hard,” Naomi says.
Tubi
Naomi Osaka in “The Second Set” on Tubi
The teaser then cuts to a montage of scenes featuring the athlete doing just that, working hard to get back to the sport she loves. She’s pictured training on the field, running drills on the court and hustling and putting in the work.
“I have multiple identities. My return to the sport is a love letter for moms,” she says in the clip. “Some people say she ended my career, but for me, it feels like she started my career.”
Naomi concludes, “Nothing is ever over and you’re never out of the game.”
The mom of one is a four-time Grand Slam champion, winning the US Open in 2018 and 2020, and the Australian Open in 2019 and 2021. She is also the first Asian player to hold the World No. 1 ranking in singles, also with seven career WTA singles titles to her name.
Since her daughter’s birth, Naomi has kept posts of her little girl to a minimum on social media. However, she’s been open about the struggles she faced through pregnancy and since becoming a mom.
Tubi
Naomi Osaka and her daughter, Shai, in “The Second Set” on Tubi
Naomi previously revealed during an interview with InStyle that she experienced several complications with her pregnancy — including testing positive for Group B streptococcus, a bacterial infection that can give newborns meningitis or sepsis — and also labored for more than 12 hours.
“I don’t think people know how hard pregnancy is; no one really talks about it as much,” she told the outlet in December 2023. “Going into it, you kind of think, ‘Oh, it’s this beautiful journey.’ But it’s kind of rough.”
Last summer, Naomi opened up to PEOPLE about how her perspective on health has changed since taking time away from her tennis career after welcoming Shai.
“Being intentional is important when it comes to prioritizing your health as a mom and an athlete. Finding balance in all areas of life including training is important,” she shared. “I believe continuing to nurture my body and mind is what will allow me to achieve my goals on and off the tennis court.”
Naomi Osaka: The Second Set premieres exclusively on Tubi on Aug. 24, 2025.
Read the original article on People
