Naomi Osaka was upset in the first round at Wimbledon and overwhelming emotions appeared to get the better of her as she took part in the post-match news conference Monday.
Osaka was discussing the loss against Yulia Putinseva when she abruptly stopped talking.
“Can I leave?” Osaka asked the moderator. “I feel like I’m about to cry.”
“I feel like I’m about to cry.”
Naomi Osaka cut an emotional figure in her post-match press conference before she had to cut it short.
Today at #Wimbledon@BBCTwo
👉 https://t.co/avSpk2uvJ0 pic.twitter.com/uOJqIk37jm— BBC Tennis (@bbctennis) July 1, 2019
Osaka walked out of the news conference.
The No. 2-ranked Japanese tennis star lost to Putinseva 7-6 (4), 6-2. Osaka was previously beaten by Putinseva at the Birmingham Classic – a warmup event before Wimbledon. It follows her third-round loss at the French Open.
It’s been a rough couple of months for Osaka, who started the season out strong by winning the Australian Open. Seven of Osaka’s eight losses in 2019 have come against opponents ranked outside the top 20.
Osaka now has the U.S. Open in her sights. She defeated Serena Williams last year, 6-2, 6-4 to capture her first grand slam title.
