Naomi Osaka Reflects on Life Beyond Tennis as Ons Jabeur Brings Humor to the WTA
At the Qatar Open in February, Ons Jabeur shared a lighthearted moment, joking about her pursuit of a Grand Slam title. “I tried my best to win my first Grand Slam. It hasn’t come yet, but hopefully it will come soon. If not, then I’ll have a baby and make her win the first Grand Slam,” the 30-year-old said, referencing her close friend Madison Keys, who claimed her first Grand Slam title at 30. Jabeur, who has reached three Grand Slam finals — Wimbledon twice (2022, 2023) and the US Open (2022) — is still waiting for that elusive victory. Despite setbacks, her humor remains ever-present.
Jabeur’s 2024 season was riddled with injuries, and 2025 has brought no respite. A calf injury forced her to withdraw from the Miami Open, and her performances in the first few months of the year have fallen short of her usual brilliance. A quarterfinal finish in Brisbane, Abu Dhabi, and Qatar have been her best results.
However, Jabeur refuses to let setbacks define her. In a show of optimism and creativity, she recently launched a new project, giving players a chance to share their experiences both on and off the court. The WTA Instagram page featured a teaser video of Jabeur announcing the upcoming show “What’s Goin Ons”: “Uh-oh, Ons Jabeur’s up to something…”
In the video, she humorously addressed the monotony that tennis players often face, saying, “Hi, I am Ons Jabeur, Professional tennis player… our sport is facing a crisis. Every day, tennis players are stuck in the same routine, repeating the same thing over and over again. But the good news is, I am one of the most liked players on tour, and I’m here to bring a little chaos and excitement back on tour. So watch out, because no one is safe from asking, what’s going Ons?”
Osaka Playfully Responds to Jabeur’s New Show
As soon as the post went live, Naomi Osaka joined in the fun, commenting with a laughing emoji. Jabeur later reshared the video on her Instagram story with the caption: “Coming soon 😅🫣.”
Naomi Osaka: Living Her Dream Life
While Jabeur’s humor brightens the WTA, Naomi Osaka is embracing her own transformative journey, balancing motherhood and tennis. After giving birth to her daughter Shai in July 2023, Osaka’s outlook on life has shifted. Despite a rollercoaster return to tennis, including walkovers in Auckland and the Australian Open, followed by an early exit at Indian Wells, Osaka remains upbeat.
Motherhood has brought a new sense of purpose. Osaka now finds peace and motivation in her daughter, inspiring her to push forward in both life and tennis. Recently, she shared a heartfelt moment with fans, showing a colorful drawing Shai made on the floor, with the caption, “Living my dream life and it’s pretty cool 🥺❤️.” Even when preparing for matches, Osaka’s priorities have changed — as she revealed in January, her pre-match routine now includes a moment to talk to Shai before sleeping.
Osaka’s ultimate goal is no longer just about victories on the court. Her focus is on being the best role model for her daughter, regardless of the match outcome. Whether she wins or loses, her dedication to setting a positive example remains constant.
