Tennis star Naomi Osaka, currently competing at the Australian Open, has expressed her deep concern over the devastating wildfires near her Los Angeles home. The former world No. 1 revealed that she had someone retrieve her daughter’s birth certificate from her house, fearing that the fire—just three blocks away—might reach her property.
Osaka’s Fear Amid Los Angeles Fires
Following her first-round victory at the Australian Open, Osaka was asked about the wildfires that have been wreaking havoc across Los Angeles. More than 12,000 structures have already been destroyed, leaving thousands displaced.
“I was watching the fire map, and the fire is three blocks from my house,” Osaka said. “So, I had someone go and get my daughter’s birth certificate because I didn’t know what would happen if that burned down. Sending all my love to LA.”
The 27-year-old, who became a mother in July 2023 when she gave birth to her daughter, Shai, admitted that the situation felt even more distressing now that she has a family. “It is really difficult for me because I think it’s tougher because I find now my home is more of a home because I have memories with my daughter,” she shared. “There are so many things, keepsakes and stuff like that. Obviously, you can’t hoard them all when you’re asking them to go to your house and just grab stuff.”
A Meaningful Win in Melbourne
Despite the distressing news from Los Angeles, Osaka remained focused on her return to Grand Slam tennis. On Monday, she earned a hard-fought 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 victory over France’s Caroline Garcia in the Australian Open first round. The win was particularly significant, as it marked her first victory at the tournament since becoming a mother. It was also a moment of redemption, as Garcia had defeated her in Melbourne last year.
Since returning to the tour after giving birth, Osaka has repeatedly emphasized that she is motivated to win titles for her daughter. “I want to win Slams for her and make her proud,” she has said in previous interviews.
Next Challenge: Karolina Muchova
Osaka will now face a tough challenge in the second round against Karolina Muchova. The Czech player holds a 2-1 lead in their head-to-head matchups, but Osaka will be eager to level the score and continue her campaign in Melbourne.
While Osaka remains focused on her matches, her heart is still with those affected by the fires in Los Angeles. With her family’s safety on her mind, she will be hoping for both a deep run at the Australian Open and positive news from back home.
