During a post-match press conference following her first-round defeat at Roland Garros to Paula Badosa, Naomi Osaka displayed her signature pink sakura-themed hair accessories alongside tear-streaked cheeks. The emotional player, whose eyes were filled with tears, struggled to articulate her feelings about disappointing fans after a 6-7(1), 6-1, 6-4 loss to the 10th-seeded Badosa, reflecting on her aspirations for improvement.
Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, has yet to advance beyond the third round at the French Open, despite her successes on hard courts. Expressing her frustrations, she quipped about her coach Patrick Mouratoglou’s transition from training Serena Williams to guiding her, playfully acknowledging the differences in their performances.
Her match was marred by 54 unforced errors—double that of Badosa—and blisters on her hands, attributed to the unique challenges of clay. These blisters had previously troubled her during the Italian Open, and she mentioned that she rarely dealt with them on other surfaces. Despite winning the opening set, Osaka’s form faltered, as she was broken five times and had a double-fault count nearing her service aces.
Currently ranked No. 49, she has faced significant mental health challenges, including anxiety and depression, which led her to take breaks from competition. This openness around mental health has contributed to broader awareness in the sporting community.
Reflecting on her journey, Osaka recalled her performance at Roland-Garros a year prior, where she almost pulled off an upset against Iga Swiatek, the subsequent champion. After taking a momentary pause during the press conference, she addressed future competitions, including the upcoming grass season at Wimbledon, which starts on June 30. She candidly admitted that she was unprepared for her early exit.
Naomi Osaka’s recent experience at Roland Garros highlights the complexities of sports performance intertwined with personal struggles, raising pertinent discussions about mental health in athletics.