Naomi Osaka to announce shock retirement?

Sad news for Osaka fans. Speculation had been rife that former world No.1 in women's tennis will announce her retirement from sports, at age 28, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 03/07/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being a tennis player isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being a tennis player just isn't fun anymore,” she might have said, says a source who remained anonymous. Other reports hinted that she may branch out into other creative fields she is better at (and more interested in), though they didn't provide any details.

#ThankYouNaomi

For a little while on Thursday evening, #ThankYouNaomi was a trending hashtag on Twitter. As many fans reminisce and look back on all the unforgettable memories, some may wonder what about now made her make the decision.

“You’ve accomplished everything I ever dreamed of #ThankYouNaomi.”
— @DesireePlum, 2 Jul 2026

“I thought Naomi Osaka retired about 5 years ago?!?”
— @millythom, 2 Jul 2026

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