‘I Felt Very Anxious’- Naomi Osaka Says She Does Not Want To Lose in the First Round of the US Open 2022

Despite not having a fantastic year on the court in 2022, Naomi Osaka is still putting up a fight on the tour. She has come a long way since she withdrew from the French Open and missed Wimbledon to take care of her mental health last year. Osaka, who has won two Grand Slam titles in New York, recently spoke about her struggles in dealing with pressure.

The Japanese star experienced a phenomenal growth on the WTA tour following her triumph in the 2018 US Open final against Serena Williams. However, since her successful 2021 Australian Open campaign, the Japanese ace has not won a title. The Miami Open final was her best performance during this time. 

Naomi Osaka worries about the upcoming US Open

Earlier this year, Osaka withdrew from the Wimbledon Championships due to an Achilles injury, and she has since only occasionally competed. She is hoping that her participation in her favorite Grand Slam would help her regain her form.

In a recent interview, she said, “Actually, when I practiced today, I felt very anxious. I think it’s because I really want to do well because I feel I haven’t been doing well lately. I would say it’s something that’s very frustrating, but at the same time, interesting, because it made me feel like, ‘Wow, I really want to be able to play again like back how I used to.’” 

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Osaka feels nervous about her first round in the US Open. Further, addressing the concert, she said, “It’s tough. Like, of course, you don’t want to lose in the first round of a slam. I feel like I always do pretty well here. It’s kind of, like, taking the pressure off of myself, but it’s always going to be there.” Over the past year, Osaka has opened up about her mental health and made a point that no one else goes through the same. 

Will Osaka overcome her fears in the US Open?

After an unsuccessful run at the Madrid Open, the Japanese star was sidelined by an injury. In the second round of the competition in Spain, Sara Sorribes Tormo defeated her. She subsequently sustained an Achilles injury, which prevented her from competing in the Italian Open.

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The Japanese player did not do well in 2022, and as a result, her ranking has plummeted. She also lost in the opening round of the Canadian Open and the Cincinnati Masters. She will compete against Danielle Collins in the US Open’s first round as the current world number 44. 

Will Osaka make her mark in the US Open 2022? Let us know in the comments below.