Naomi Osaka is out of Wimbledon after losing to Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova over three sets, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4.
Osaka was looking to clinch her first title since 2021 at the All England Club, and got off to a promising start in her campaign.
The four-time Grand Slam champion had earned two straight-set victories over Talia Gibson and Katerina Siniakova to advance to round three.
In her clash with Pavlyuchenkova, Osaka took the first set and looked well on her way to reaching the second week of a Grand Slam for the first time in four years.
It wasn’t to be for the Japanese star in the end, however, as the Russian booked her place in the fourth round.
At the match in the stands was former Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios, who said watching Osaka made him sure of something he wants to do in the future.
Photo by Tim Clayton/Getty ImagesNick Kyrgios inspired by Naomi Osaka’s match at Wimbledon
On Talksport, Kyrgios said: “Just seeing the competitive side of Naomi today really did make me miss being out there, especially at an event where I play my best tennis and I really did prepare amazingly for.
“But being in the box and coaching for someone who hasn’t really had a coach for most of my career, and still don’t really have a coach to this day. I mean, I do, but it’s not a really big name.
“But I think I could see myself coaching further down the line for sure. Today, I felt I was really invested.
“Tactically, I was trying to help her as much as I could, without crossing the line. I did miss it a lot, but I could definitely feel myself coaching in the future.
“I am a student of the game. Most of my career, I made the Wimbledon final without having a coach, and I watched a lot of film.
“I know pretty much everyone’s strengths and weaknesses inside out, and I know my own strengths and weaknesses inside out.
“Just sitting there, I could tell she was trying to figure it out, and I knew what her opponent was trying to do. It was really fun for me because I feel like they help a lot of players on the tactical side of things.
“With Naomi, I feel like she succeeds when there is a simple plan in my mind, and I was trying to help her as much as I could.”
Naomi Osaka says she has ‘nothing positive’ to say after loss at Wimbledon
In her post-match press conference following the loss, Osaka was asked: “Despite the loss, do you still see some positives in the last few weeks and going forward into the season, or are you just reflecting on today so far?”
She responded: “I’m just gonna be a negative human being today. I’m so sorry. I have nothing positive to say about myself, which is something I’m working on.
“It was my daughter’s birthday. I was happy about that this week. Other than that, today, I’m just constantly replaying the match.”
After five attempts, Osaka is still yet to make it out of the third round at Wimbledon.
AloJapan.com