“I Have an Age Problem”- Naomi Osaka Not Happy With Her Loss to Coco Gauff

The defending champion at Australian Open 2020 Naomi Osaka was stunned on the Rod Laver Arena by the 15-year-old tennis wizard Coco Gauff. The Japanese made 30 unforced errors and couldn’t find her way to inch closer towards the victory in Melbourne.

After her straight-set loss 6-3, 6-4, the 22-year-old Osaka was not happy to lose to the youngest player in the women’s draw. The two-time Grand Slam couldn’t accept her defeat to the teenager from Florida.

“I have an age problem. I don’t like to lose to people younger than me and take this very personally,” World Number four Osaka reflected after her loss. “It was one of those days where I couldn’t do anything right.”

“Also didn’t have that champion mentality of still finding a way to win. It’s hard. You just don’t want to lose to a 15-year-old. It’s kind of a reality check for me. She deserved to be here, won her matches. But I just have to play better – practice harder. I get overwhelmed and I don’t really know what to do in that situation,” she added.

“I still have a long way to go” – Naomi Osaka

It’s difficult for the defending champion to digest her loss. 12 months ago she extended her Grand Slam match-winning streak to 14. Simultaneously, the Asian face of tennis turned, Naomi Osaka World Number one. After failing to defend the 2000 points of her of last year from Melbourne’s win, Osaka will be ranked number nine in the world. 

“I don’t really have the champion mentality yet, which is, like, someone that can deal with not playing 100%. And I have always wanted to be like that, but I guess I still have a long way to go,” the Japanese added.

Along with Osaka, former Australian Open champions Serena Williams and Caroline Wozniacki ended their run at the Melbourne major 2020. The tennis phenom Coco Gauff will meet the victor of Sofia Kenin vs Zhang Shuai in the fourth round of Aussie Open.