Osaka, 20, who struggled with a back injury while losing 4-6, 4-6 to unseeded Anastasija Sevastova, opened up afterwards on dealing with ramped-up expectations
Naomi Osaka speaks to her coach during the China Open semi-final on Saturday. Pic/AFP
Naomi Osaka admitted she gets "stressed out" trying to live up to "the hype" after the US Open champion was beaten in the China Open semi-finals on Saturday. Osaka, 20, who struggled with a back injury while losing 4-6, 4-6 to unseeded Anastasija Sevastova, opened up afterwards on dealing with ramped-up expectations.
ADVERTISEMENT
The World No. 6 made headlines last month when she stunned Serena Williams in New York to win her maiden Grand Slam, in a final overshadowed by the American's bitter row with the chair umpire. Osaka's shock win propelled her into the limelight — a place she is not comfortable in.
"As the weeks go by, I have this feeling of wanting to prove myself. That takes a toll on me because I stress myself out. If you don't win, then people will say, 'Oh, she hasn't won a tournament.' If you haven't won a Slam, they'll say, 'She hasn't won one Grand Slam.' If you win a Slam, they're like, 'She only won one Slam.'
I sort of read the comments, I'm like, 'I guess I have to do more, to be better'," said Osaka, who was attempting to reach a third straight final after New York and Tokyo's Pan Pacific Open.
Catch up on all the latest sports news and updates here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
