Initially, there was no problem for title defender Naomi Osaka. She won set 1 after two love games, in set 2 she served for the match.
She couldn’t and that caused her a lot of stress. Osaka suddenly made a lot of mistakes and saw how her Canadian opponent took over the direction. Leylah Fernandez won the tiebreak and forced a 3rd and deciding set.
The number 73 in the world played in it as a real topper. She forced Osaka into a corner with solid blows and beautiful drop shots. She took her frustration out on her racket, she threw a ball into the audience and hid under a towel.
The chronicle of an early shutdown. After more than 2 hours of tennis, Osaka blew the retreat in New York. For the time being, it will remain with 2 final victories in New York: last year and in 2018.
(scroll down for Naomi Osaka’s response)
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There is a good chance that you will not see Naomi Osaka play tennis for a while. “Honestly: I don’t know when I will play my next match,” the world number 3 said in tears.
“I think it’s best to take a break. I need to find out what I really want to do now.”
“When I win a match, I’m not even happy. It feels more like a relief. And when I lose, I’m very sad. That’s not normal anymore.”
Osaka is struggling at the top of women’s tennis. Earlier this year she withdrew to Roland Garros. The Japanese player then stated that she has been dealing with mental problems since the US Open in 2018.
Just last month, she burst into tears at a press conference.
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