Play.
The USA's Anisimova stuns Osaka after a final-set tiebreak.
Naomi Osaka was defeated in the third round of the Australian Open. There is a time and a place.
8:24 AM
Naomi Osaka prepared for her next serve as she stood on the court as her ever-so-slight lead slipped away and now just one point away from entering a third-set tiebreak at the Australian Open on Friday.
As she walked back to the baseline, Osaka looked frustrated, but then she laughed.
She lost the point and the match moments later, but she found something more important during her time in Australia.
She loves the sport.
Osaka was able to appreciate the moment and the defeat even after she blew two match points in the loss.
Pick winners and compete for a chance to win $1,000. Pick your favorites.
After the match, Osaka said that he fought for every point. I can't be sad about that. I can't win every match. It would be nice to win the tournament, but that's really special, so I have to take that into account. I can't win the Grand Slam at the beginning of the year.
I think I grew a lot in this match. I think I had a completely different attitude, so I'm really happy with how it went.
It's been a long journey for Osaka to rediscover the joy of playing tennis.
The season didn't go as planned for her. She opened the year with the title at the Australian Open, her fourth major victory, but found herself in the middle of a media uproar after she stated she wouldn't be speaking to reporters at the French Open. She returned to her home in Los Angeles after withdrawing from the tournament. Osaka took some personal time with friends and family.
During the opening ceremony of the Olympics in Tokyo, Osaka lit the cauldron, but was unable to follow it up on the court, falling in the third round. She couldn't hide her devastation as she struggled against Leylah Fernandez in the Round of 32 at the US Open. She threw her racket, hit a ball into the stands and left the court with a towel draped over her head after the second set. Osaka told reporters she didn't feel happy after the match.
I don't know when I'm going to play my next tennis match, I'm trying to figure out what I want to do. I think I'm going to take a break from playing for a while, I cried at the press conference.
The weekly grind of the globetrotting schedule and the pressure of being the heir apparent to Serena Williams' throne as the world's best tennis player had perhaps been too much to handle. No one knew when Osaka would play again.
When she posted a picture of herself smiling on Rod Laver Arena at the end of December, it was a welcome sight for tennis fans. She's winning points and that smile hasn't faded.
Osaka whiffed on a return in the first set against Osorio. She put her hand on her chest and laughed as she watched the ball bounce after she swung her racket over her head.
Naomi Osaka smashes #AusOpen
>
January 17, 2022.
She treated it as a simple mistake. After the match, Osaka was asked if her reaction to the moment was a sign of her new attitude.
Osaka came back when he wanted to. I felt like I used to get upset in those situations. At this point in my life, I'm here because I want to be here, and I find that it's fun. I might as well enjoy it while I can.
She admitted it wouldn't have been her immediate reaction.
She said that it wasn't an automatic thing to laugh about it. I'm trying to change my thinking.
Those connected to the game have noticed that the adjustment has been on display in good and bad moments.
She looks more prepared than she was at the US Open, according to Pam Shriver, the 21-time major doubles champion and analyst for the cable network. There have been a few moments in this tournament in which she might have gotten embarrassed or frustrated but now she's able to focus on the next point.
It's easy to be cheerful in victory, but Osaka didn't give up. She walked into her news conference with a smile after she warmly congratulates her at the net. She said the match was fun and high-level.
She said writing in a journal helped her gain perspective.
"I've been trying to figure out what my goals are and what I want to accomplish in this career because I'm here right now at the Australian Open, but you never know when it's going to be your last one," Osaka said. I don't want to take for granted the fact that I play in Rod Laver every time. It's really special to play in the big stadiums. I feel like I have to shift my mentality and be more grateful for the things that I have accomplished and the things that I want to accomplish.
A win on Friday would have set up a blockbuster fourth-round match against Ash Barty. Two of the best in the game finally have the chance to go head-to-head, and many were excited to see it. Osaka will head back home empty-handed and with her ranking expected to plummet into the 80s, instead of facing Barty.
Osaka insisted that she was grateful for the experience, and that it will help her during the rest of the season.
She wants to go into this year knowing that she will play the whole year and have the best attitude ever. I'll fight for every point. Even if I win or lose, I'll just leave the court knowing that I tried my best, and there's no way that anyone can expect anything else from me.
If I keep that mentality, I will be able to win more matches. I feel like the losses are what I learn the most from, even though there are going to be moments like this where I'm disappointed.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
