Naomi Osaka lost out in straight sets to a special display by
Karolina Muchova in a battle of the comeback queens at the
US Open. But despite Osaka likely seeing it differently in the cold light of day, it was a pretty dramatic verdict after losing 6-3, 7-6.
Osaka spoke in her press conference and said that she judges it on results as opposed to game play so of course isn't best pleased with the fact that she has resumed her career and isn't getting the results.
The former World No.1 said that everytime she loses she feels like her heart dies and that she has to work on taking defeat better. As a top level athlete, of course it is very much a matter of taking defeats to heart.
Something that Osaka wants to improve on. But whilst Muchova who was being lauded as the female Federer moves through, Osaka continues to not get the rub of the green so to speak and will be searching for answers no matter how well she played.
“I feel I’m coming back from pregnancy but also it wasn’t like in 2022 I was the best version of myself. In some way, I had to catch up to that and also I’m trying to pass it as the same time. It’s been a little difficult. Obviously I can only gauge how I’m doing by results. I feel faster. I feel better," said Osaka.
"But I lost in the 2nd round so it’s a little rough. But also it’s been fun playing a lot of tournaments. It’s been a commitment for sure. I’ve been able to go to different cities that I hadn’t been to before… it’s tough because I take these losses personally. This is a dramatic word.. but I feel like my heart dies every time I lose. It sucks a lot. But I’ve been trying to be more mature and learn and talk more about them.”
