Naomi Osaka will not be competing in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, as the four-time major winner was defeated in the third round by Marketa Vondrousova of the Czech Republic on Tuesday.
With the 6-1, 6-4 victory, Vondrousova, a finalist at the 2019 French Open, advances.
“How dissatisfied am I?” “I mean, I’m disappointed after every loss,” Osaka said, “but this one seems to sting more than the others.”
Osaka isn’t the only big name in the women’s draw to lose early. She made 32 unforced mistakes throughout the encounter. Ashleigh Barty, the world No. 1 and Wimbledon winner, was knocked out in the first round by Sara Sorribes Tormo of Spain. Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, the third seed, was knocked out in the second round by Donna Vekic of Croatia.
However, this snafu is perhaps even more significant than those. This is the first time Osaka has fallen before the quarterfinals on a hard court since the 2020 Australian Open, when she lost to American Coco Gauff in the third round. Osaka’s seven career titles have all come on the back of hard work.
To officially launch the Games, Osaka, who is 23 years old, lit the Olympic cauldron. Osaka, who has a Haitian father and a Japanese mother, was born in Osaka, Japan, and migrated to the United States at the age of three. She is the world’s No. 2 tennis player.
“Undoubtedly, the biggest sports success and honor I will ever have in my life,” Osaka tweeted after the opening ceremony.
After the victory, Osaka stated, “I definitely feel like there was a lot of pressure on me tonight.” “I guess it’s because I’ve never played in the Olympics before, and it was a little overwhelming the first year.”I believe I’m happy with how I performed and with the break I got.”
Osaka’s first competition after withdrawing from the French Open two months ago due to mental health concerns was the Olympics.
“I’ve taken long gaps previously and done well,” Osaka explained. “I’m not saying I did badly right now,” she says, “but I do know my expectations were much greater.” I don’t think my attitude was fantastic because I didn’t know how to deal with the pressure, but it was the best I could do in this situation. “
Next up for Vondrousova, 22, is Paula Badosa of Spain. Her victory over Osaka was dubbed “one of the biggest” of her career.
“I thought it would be a tough match since Naomi is such a strong player with so many grand slams,” Vondrousova said. “However, I’m really pleased with my performance.” The first set was fantastic, but the second set was quite difficult. I’m so relieved to be done. “
Osaka has been named to the field for the US Open, which begins in August in New York. She holds the title of defending champion.
Reference:https://edition.cnn.com/2021/07/27/tennis/naomi-osaka-loses-olympics-3rd-round-spt-intl/index.html
