Naomi Osaka says she sent someone to grab her daughter’s birth certificate from her burning home

  Naomi Osaka Retrieves Daughter’s Birth Certificate Amid LA Wildfires

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — As Naomi Osaka competes and triumphs at the Australian Open, she had to send someone to her California home to retrieve her 1 1/2-year-old daughter Shai’s birth certificate, fearing it could be lost in the wildfires near Los Angeles.

Following her 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 win against Caroline Garcia in the first round at Melbourne Park on Monday night, Osaka revealed during an on-court interview at Rod Laver Arena that a fire was burning just three blocks from her home. Concerned for her daughter’s birth certificate, she made arrangements to secure it. Shai, born in July 2023, travels with Osaka on the tennis tour.

Osaka, who recently announced her split from rapper Cordae, Shai’s father, admitted during the interview that the fires made it difficult for her to maintain focus. “I don’t think I’ve been doing the greatest keeping focus, but obviously I won, so I think it’s an acceptable job,” she said. She added that her home now holds more sentimental value due to memories with her daughter.

During the news conference, she sported a black Dodgers hat with “LA” and a heart, along with a purple Lakers jersey. Expressing her concern, she said, “I’m not there, so I don’t know how bad it is or how bad it’s going to get, but I am grateful that everyone in my family is safe.” Osaka plans to stay in Melbourne after the tournament, saying, “I don’t feel like it’s safe enough to go back there.”

Osaka, a former No. 1-ranked player with four Grand Slam titles, has been based in Los Angeles for years. Born in Japan, her family moved to the U.S. when she was three.

On court, she expressed her support for those affected by the wildfires, saying, “Sending all my love to LA. We hear about fires, but I didn’t know how devastating it could be. I hope everyone’s doing well.” She wrote “LA” and drew a heart on a TV camera lens, a gesture echoed by other players like Coco Gauff and Donna Vekic.

This victory marks the second consecutive year Osaka faced Garcia in the first round at Melbourne Park. Last year, coming off maternity leave, Osaka lost to Garcia. Reflecting on the coincidence, Osaka remarked, “It felt a little familiar.”

Osaka had a strong start to the season, reaching the final in Auckland before withdrawing due to injury. Her next challenge at the Australian Open is against 20th-seeded Karolina Muchova, who recently returned from a long injury hiatus. Last year, Muchova defeated Osaka in the second round of the U.S. Open.