With wildfire ‘three blocks away’ from her LA home, Naomi Osaka says she sent someone to get her daughter’s birth certificate
CNN —
Naomi Osaka called her 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 win against Caroline Garcia in the Australian Open first round “an acceptable job.”
But Osaka has more on her mind than seeking her fifth major title – and first title of any kind since becoming a mother. Her heart is with Los Angeles, as wildfires have been raging there for days.
“I was watching the fire map, and the fire is like three blocks from my house. So I had someone go and get my daughter’s birth certificate and all that because I didn’t know what would happen if that burned down,” Osaka said in her on-court interview after her first-round win.
“Sending all my love to LA. I know we hear about fires, but for me in particular, I didn’t know how devastating it could be. I just hope everyone’s doing well and I’m sending them all my love.”
Tennis — Australian Open — Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia — January 13, 2025 Coco Gauff of the U.S. writes a message on a TV camera in support of the victims of the wildfires in Los Angeles after winning her first round match against Sofia Kenin of the U.S. REUTERS/Edgar SuRelated article Coco Gauff writes message of support for Los Angeles after winning in Australian Open first round
Osaka, seeking her third Australian Open title and first grand slam title since winning in Melbourne in 2021, later addressed reporters in a press conference wearing a Los Angeles Lakers jersey and a Los Angeles hat with a heart. She was asked about how she has kept her focus while knowing what’s been happening close to her house.
“Honestly, I don’t think I’ve been doing the greatest keeping focus, but obviously I won, so I think it’s an acceptable job,” Osaka said.
“It is really difficult for me because I think it’s tougher now because I find