Naomi Osaka said she "hates disappointing people" after sliding to a tough three-set loss to Spanish 10th seed Paula Badosa in the first round of the French Open on Monday.
Four-time Grand Slam champion Osaka saved a set point in the opening set before dominating the tie-break, but Badosa ran away with the second set to force a decider.
Osaka regrouped and broke early for a 2-0 lead only for Badosa to quickly pull level, landing the crucial break in the seventh game on her way to a 6-7 (1/7), 6-1, 6-4 victory.
"It was a tough match," said Osaka, who suffered an agonising loss to eventual champion Iga Swiatek in last year's second round, having held a match point. "I think as time goes on, I feel like I should be doing better."
Former world number one Osaka is now working with Patrick Mouratoglou, the long-time coach to Serena Williams.
She won a lower-level title on clay earlier this month and is back in the top 50 but is still fighting to return to the sport's upper echelons.
"I hate disappointing people," said a visibly emotional Osaka.
Osaka has struggled for consistency after returning to the professional circuit last season.
But the 27-year-old had the second round in her sights after taking a one-set lead over Badosa, whose injury problems had limited her to two matches on clay in the build-up to Roland Garros.
Osaka has been wearing flower-inspired outfits this year and unveiled cherry blossom-themed shoes for Roland Garros, with a kit to match.
She took a medical timeout between the first and second sets, during which she trimmed her floral nails before later explaining that a blister issue from Rome had resurfaced.
"Since Rome, I have had, like, blisters on my hands. I think it's like from the friction of clay, because I don't have blisters on any other surface," she said.
Badosa won the first five games of the second set and said she drew inner strength from a famous compatriot as she completed a comeback win.
"I have to say that when I was 7-6 down the first thing I did was to look over there," said Badosa, pointing to Rafael Nadal's footprint carved into the Philippe Chatrier court, which was unveiled during his farewell ceremony on Sunday. "To get inspiration from Rafa. I'm like 'Come on Paula, you have to fight like he was.'"
© 2025 AFP
11 Comments
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robert maes
She does not live nor trains like an athlete. She has no more ambition but to make money as long as she can. That is her right as a professional.
But I could do without the hypocrisy and the Calimero attitude.
Coulda been
A strong training ethic wins tournaments, not fashion.
Mr Kipling
Stick a fork in.... She is done.
Pukey2
She was the usual emotional wreck in the press conference, cussing and crying, and walking out again until being coaxed into going back. People lose. That's life. She needs to either grow up or retire. She's earned more than enough so that her child never has to work. Part of the problem is her parents having shielded her from the rest of the world and not providing her with proper adult social skills.
Dale Spenser
Never worked on her likability either. Will affect her post retirement career.
USNinJapan2
Amazing. No mention of her being a mommy. That has to be a first.
Blacklabel
She loses a LOT.
seems she would be more used to it instead of acting surprised.
HopeSpringsEternal
Tough opponent, but Osaka was up a break in the third set. At this level it's mainly mental, as she has the tools and technique, just lacking the 'eye of the tiger'
At least it wasn't a fitness issue, so she's getting close, Bodosa could got DEEP into the second week, so this is not disaster, just an unlucky draw. Naomi can do serious damage at Wimbledon, better surface for her
HopeSpringsEternal
Imagine, you're in your 20's, already a former #1 and GS Champion multiple times and you make +50M US$ OFF the Court annually, have a nice young daughter etc.
Pretty easy to see how she's 'less motivated' than yesteryear, while she was making her way to the top
ohara
She is weirdly over interested in her on-court outfit, and she took a medical time out to manicure her sakura themed finger nails. The girl is done.
smithinjapan
Funny how you never see her "fans" on here anymore. Oh how quickly the bandwagon rolls away.