Tennis star Naomi Osaka considers taking a break after a loss at US Open

Naomi Osaka, of Japan, covers her head between sets against Leylah Fernandez, of Canada, during the third round of the US Open tennis championships, Friday, Sept. 3, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

After losing in the third round of the US Open on Friday night, Naomi Osaka revealed she is considering taking another hiatus from tennis “for a while.”

“When I win, I don't feel happy; instead, I feel relieved. "I'm very sad when I lose," Osaka said after losing 5-7, 6-7 (2), 6-4 to Leylah Fernandez, an 18-year-old Canadian who is ranked 73rd and has never advanced this far in Grand Slam competition. “It doesn't feel normal to me.”

“I'm basically at this point where I'm trying to figure out what I want to do,” Osaka said, struggling to hold back tears.

She banged her racket against Arthur Ashe Stadium's court earlier in the day on Friday. She tossed her equipment a few moments later, sending it bouncing and skidding halfway to the net. Then, at the baseline, there was a full-fledged rise.

The game in Osaka was canceled. Her cool had vanished. The crowd was booing her by the end for turning her back on the court and waiting too long between points.

The No. 3-seeded Osaka's title defense was finished in no time.

This was Osaka's first Slam competition since withdrawing from the French Open in the second round due to mental health concerns. She also skipped Wimbledon before going to the Tokyo Olympics and lighting the cauldron.

Publish : 2021-09-04 09:21:00

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