Naomi Osaka was overcome with emotion in the press conference after her loss to Spain’s Paula Badosa in a closely contested second-round match at Roland Garros. The former World No. 1 has been open in the past about her mental health issues and did not restrict her emotions when speaking to reporters afterward.
In the post-match press conference, Naomi Osaka provided an extremely vulnerable and honest response when asked how she felt after the defeat.
“I hate disappointing people,” she replied, her voice shaking with tears. “Even with Patrick I was thinking just now that he goes from working with like the greatest player ever to like… what the f*** this is.”
She was referring to her trainer, Patrick Mouratoglou, who once coached 23-time Grand Slam winner Serena Williams. The burden of expectation, both internal and external, was heavy on Osaka’s mind.
Naomi Osaka’s emotional show of vulnerability prompted an outpouring of sympathy on social media. The majority of fans admired that she had the strength to show such raw emotion in front of others, especially at a tournament that she withdrew from in 2021 to prioritize her mental health.
One Twitter user wrote. “I think she is wonderful. She was always fascinating to listen to in her Pressers while winning her FOUR Grand Slams and, now in a different period of her life, she is just as honest in trying to convey her emotions. It would be wonderful for tennis if she can raise her game that extra notch & start winning titles again.”
At just 26, Osaka’s career is still in its early stages. She has already won four Grand Slam titles and achieved more in her career than most tennis professionals do in a lifetime.
And although clay is not her best surface, her chances of getting back to the top of the game, especially on hard courts, are still extremely high.