"I think I can't be mad or upset at myself": Naomi Osaka 'doesn't feel sad' despite losing US Open semifinal to Amanda Anisimova

Japan’s Naomi Osaka has stated that she does not feel ‘sad’ despite losing in the semifinal of the US Open. The former world number one suffered a heartbreaking defeat to America’s Amanda Anisimova in the last-four clash of the fourth and final Grand Slam of the year with a score of 6-7, 7-6, 6-3 on Thursday.

Osaka spoke to the press after the match, where she was asked about how she was feeling after suffering a defeat in a hard-fought contest. In response to that, the 27-year-old stated that she does not feel ‘sad’ despite losing the contest. Osaka also indicated that she is more inspired by her run and is now eager to do even better in the upcoming tournaments and matches.

“Yeah, I mean, honestly, I don't feel sad,” said Osaka. “It's really weird. Well, it's not weird, because I just feel like I did the best that I could. And honestly, it's kind of inspiring for me because it makes me just want to train and try to get better and hopefully, yeah, just give it my very best shot again and see what happens. But I think I can't be mad or upset at myself."

The defeat finally broke Osaka’s streak of 16 consecutive wins in the quarterfinals, semifinals and finals of the Grand Slams in her career. Osaka was asked how it feels to lose so close to the finishing line. In response to that, Osaka stated that she is ‘happy’ to lose in the semifinals instead of suffering a defeat in the first round of the competition. “Honestly, not really. Like, I kind of respect it more,” said Osaka. “Like, I'm happy that I lost in the semis instead of the first round or the third round or whatever I usually get to.”

Osaka was then asked whether she was surprised to see Anisimova’s performance on the day. In response to that, the former world number one stated that it's hard to compete with a player like her, who, according to her, has ‘no pattern’ of play. Osaka also said that Anisimova is ‘opposite’ to how she plays the game.

“I wouldn't say it's a bigger challenge than I expected because I kind of knew that she's that type of player,” said Osaka. “It was just kind of funny at times because there's no pattern to what she's doing. Like, it's kind of like she just hits at the empty quarter or whatever, and it usually goes in. So, yeah, I mean, obviously she went to the finals of Wimbledon and now she's in the finals here. So it just shows that she's a really good player. Oh, honestly, I thought she's, like, the complete opposite of me. Just because I feel like with me, I'm not trying to hit hard. Like, when I'm playing, I'm watching my opponent, and maybe the pace comes off harder, but I was kind of blocking her ball sometimes. So it kind of depends the pace that you give me. Like, I play everyone a little bit differently. So I just happen to know I have to be aggressive with her because obviously if I give her a softer ball, she's just going to crush it. So, yeah.”

There was a particular moment in the second set when it was 4-4 and she was leading 40-0. From there on, Anisimova went on to win five consecutive points and break the serve. Osaka was asked whether that was the turning point in the match. In response to that, Osaka stated that at that time, she did not think about that as she was more focused on her performance in the court.

“I mean, it's kind of hard to say,” said Osaka. “I think, you know, you can kind of only live and learn, and for me, obviously, I didn't remember it until you said it, so now I'm thinking about it, but, yeah. I mean, I went to that match knowing she's one of the best returners in the world, and obviously I feel like I'm one of the best servers, so it's a little unfortunate, but also I can't really say I've played, like, many matches in the semis of the slam since I've been back. I would say she has a little bit under her belt more than me, so, yeah, hopefully I can be in this position one more time and see if I learn something. Brian, in the back on the right.”

Osaka was then asked about her future goals after having an impressive run in the US Open. The four-time Grand Slam winner stated that despite having a great run, which is a ‘confidence booster’, the season does not end there, and she will be looking to produce good performances in the upcoming tournaments as well.

“I mean, I don't, like, even at my quote-unquote worst, I've never played a tournament and thought that I would lose in the first round, you know? Like, if I enter a tournament, I want to win, so I would say, like, getting far in the US Open was definitely a confidence booster,” said Osaka. “Doing well in Montreal was a confidence booster, but the season's not done yet. I honestly got a little farther than I thought I would. I just wanted to be seeded in slams, but now I don't know what ranking I'm at, but I think I'm kind of getting up there, so, yeah. Obviously, I want to do well in Australia. I was happy to play well there, so doing well in the Asian swing and then closing off the rest of the year is my goal now.”