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Naomi Osaka US Open 2021
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‘I don’t know when I am going to play my next match,’ tearful Naomi Osaka questions future after shock defeat


A tearful Naomi Osaka admitted she doesn’t know when she will play her next tennis match after suffering a shock defeat in the third round of the US Open.

The Japanese star, who lifted the title in New York 12 months ago, was stunned by 18-year-old Leylah Annie Fernandez on Arthur Ashe Stadium, losing 5-7 7-6(2) 6-4 despite serving for the match in the second set.

The four-time Grand Slam champion, who withdrew from both the French Open and Wimbledon due to mental health issues, said she will now take a break from playing as she questioned her future in the sport.

“This is very hard to articulate,” said the 23-year-old. “Basically I feel like I’m kind of at this point where I’m trying to figure out what I want to do, and I honestly don’t know when I’m going to play my next tennis match. Sorry.

“I think I’m going to take a break from playing for a while.

“How do I go around saying this? I feel like for me recently when I win I don’t feel happy. I feel more like a relief. And then when I lose, I feel very sad. I don’t think that’s normal. I didn’t really want to cry.”

When asked what caused the defeat to the Canadian, Osaka couldn’t put her finger on what went wrong, though said that she has been ‘dealing with some stuff’.

“I don’t think it was her serve because I’ve been able to return pretty well against people that served better. I don’t think it’s the occasion because I’ve been in this situation before,” said the Japanese star.

“I guess we’re all dealing with some stuff, but I know that I’m dealing with some stuff.”

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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.