Naomi Osaka's assumption that having a child signaled the end of a player's career has left tennis fans bewildered, given the numerous players who have successfully made a comeback to the tour after becoming mothers.In July, Osaka welcomed her first child, a daughter named Shai, with long-time boyfriend and professional rapper Cordae. During a recent appearance on the Mountaintop Conversations podcast, the 25-year-old admitted to harboring the assumption that having a child signified the end of a WTA player's career."Actually, there was a lot of pressure I felt for me. For me, I always had the assumption that if you have a kid, it’s basically the end of your career. I don’t really see a lot of women on the tennis tour with kids. They are usually a bit older, and it just seems like a very hard taxing on your body," Naomi Osaka said. The four-time Grand Slam champion also divulged that despite not initially expecting to return to the tour after giving birth, having a child has deepened her appreciation for the sport."I just never really thought if I had a kid, I’d go back on the tour. But I feel like it was a magical moment for me. It just made me think of all the things I love and appreciate and it just made me really want to work hard… I’ve played tennis since I was three and I want to appreciate the time that I can still play," she added.Several fans were left perplexed by Osaka's comments. One of them questioned why she had made that assumption when players like Serena Williams, Victoria Azarenka and Elina Svitolina, among others, had all made a successful return to the tour after having children."Serena, Vika, Svitolina, Clijsters, Margaret Court, Evonne Goolagong… they all would like a word… Unless “their careers were over” ??" the fan tweeted.Amy Lundy Dahl@AmyLundyDahl@TheTennisLetter Serena, Vika, Svitolina, Clijsters, Margaret Court, Evonne Goolagong… they all would like a word…Unless “their careers were over” ?? 🙄141@TheTennisLetter Serena, Vika, Svitolina, Clijsters, Margaret Court, Evonne Goolagong… they all would like a word…Unless “their careers were over” ?? 🙄Another fan highlighted a fallacy in Osaka's comments, pointing out that the former World No. 1 had won her first Grand Slam title by defeating Serena Williams in the 2018 US Open final. Williams was making a comeback at the time, having just given birth to her daughter Olympia."Girl won her first slam beating a returning Serena in the USOpen final but thought having kids was a career ender? You legit stood across the net from a returning mother in a grand slam final…," another fan commented.Bayern Fan (The Normal One)@Bayern_1021@TheTennisLetter Girl won her first slam beating a returning Serena in the USOpen final but thought having kids was a career ender? You legit stood across the net from a returning mother in a grand slam final…5@TheTennisLetter Girl won her first slam beating a returning Serena in the USOpen final but thought having kids was a career ender? You legit stood across the net from a returning mother in a grand slam final…Here are a few more fan reactions:Stephanie Myles@OpenCourtI mean she literally has paid no attention to all the women who have done it I guess twitter.com/thetennislette…81I mean she literally has paid no attention to all the women who have done it I guess twitter.com/thetennislette…Buhlebendalo.@__MatshidisoMany greats have done it before so...‍ twitter.com/TheTennisLette…Many greats have done it before so...😵‍💫 twitter.com/TheTennisLette…🐺@SilentWolvezzzz@TheTennisLetter Should take some advice from Svitolina9@TheTennisLetter Should take some advice from Svitolinagatrybs@gatrybs@TheTennisLetter Elina Svitolina is a mother. And next, Caroline Wozniacki, a mother of two kids, will be back soon in hard court season.6@TheTennisLetter Elina Svitolina is a mother. And next, Caroline Wozniacki, a mother of two kids, will be back soon in hard court season.John Driver@DriverESPN@TheTennisLetter Literally the most annoying person on tour. Her fans are the second worst39@TheTennisLetter Literally the most annoying person on tour. Her fans are the second worstdc0531@dougwc1@TheTennisLetter Naomi retired from tennis 18 months before she even became pregnant, and now she wants to TRY and compete again? Well one thing is for sure, Naomi will have prior engagements during the French Open and Wimbledon,that you can take to the bank16@TheTennisLetter Naomi retired from tennis 18 months before she even became pregnant, and now she wants to TRY and compete again? Well one thing is for sure, Naomi will have prior engagements during the French Open and Wimbledon,that you can take to the bank🏦DoubleNW@DoubleNW@TheTennisLetter Y have this thought n 2days age... Women, we do what we want @TheTennisLetter Y have this thought n 2days age... Women, we do what we want 👏💯😀ProudAmerican🇺🇸@Dark13592578J@TheTennisLetter She didn’t quit because she had a “kid”. She quit because she couldn’t handle the pressure.9@TheTennisLetter She didn’t quit because she had a “kid”. She quit because she couldn’t handle the pressure.Naomi Osaka hints at comeback after giving birth to her first childNaomi Osaka fields questions from the media.Just days after giving birth to her daughter, Naomi Osaka was spotted on the practice courts, presumably training for her comeback to the tour. She also hinted at her return while sharing a picture of her newborn daughter dressed in a tennis-themed onesie.A fan recently reached out to Osaka through social media and shared their enthusiasm for her return to the tour. In response, the former World No. 1 confirmed that her comeback was already in the works."Omw," Osaka tweeted.NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ@naomiosakaOmw 🏽‍♀️ twitter.com/jojo_cj_/statu…5147291Omw 😖🏃🏽‍♀️💨🎾💕 twitter.com/jojo_cj_/statu…Naomi Osaka's eagerness to return to the tour is no surprise given that she had previously opened up about her aim to win eight more Grand Slam titles and clinch the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.