Naomi Osaka left the mixed zone in tears after losing to Czech star Marketa Vondrousova in straight sets at the Tokyo Olympics.
The Japanese star has been the poster girl for the Tokyo Games and was favourite to take the gold medal before slumping to a shock 6-1 6-4 defeat to the world No. 42.
Osaka demonstrated no sign of rustiness in her opening two encounters, but the tennis she displayed in those victories diminished in her third-round tie against the Czech.
“I feel like I should be used to it by now,” said the 23-year-old. “But, at the same time, the scale of everything has been a bit hard because of the break that I took. I am glad I didn’t lose in the first round at least.
“I am really glad to be here. I am sad I lost, of course, but all in all, I am really happy with my first Olympic experience.”
