NAOMI Osaka was visibly emotional after being asked a ‘devastating’ question following her US Open exit to Amanda Anisimova.
The Japanese tennis star took an early lead but fell to a 7-6 6-7 3-6 defeat to the American in the semi-final.
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Naomi Osaka was close to tears when asked a devastating question following her US Open exitCredit: Getty
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Osaka lost to Wimbledon finalist Amanda Anisimova in the semi-final of the New York eventCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
But it was not a question on her brutal tournament exit that really got to the two-time US Open winner.
Instead, Osaka calmly navigated questions about the defeat, before becoming emotional when asked about her would-be plans to continue her recent ritual of bringing a different tennis-themed Labubu doll to each of her matches.
One reporter asked Osaka following her loss: “What would have been the next Labubu?”
“Don’t make me cry, man,” she responded. “Oh my god. The most devastating question.
“So I literally just talked about this, but I wanted to make one of myself in my last year outfit, the green one.
“It would have had the bow and I’m sick about it. Oh my God, that’s like the worst thing.
“Honestly, I’m fine losing, but don’t ask me about this Labubu man.”
Her emotional reaction to the question on her Labubu was in stark contrast to her shockingly positive outlook on her loss.
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Osaka enchanted tennis fans as she brought a series of bedazzled Labubus to her matchesCredit: Reuters
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The tennis-themed dolls featured different colour schemes and left fans speculating what was nextCredit: Splash
Osaka emphasised her urge to take inspiration from the loss rather than let it weigh on her.
“Honestly, I don’t feel sad,” said Osaka.
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“I just feel like I did the best that I could, and honestly it is kind of inspiring for me because it makes me just want to train and try to get better.
“Hopefully just give it my very best shot again and see what happens.
“I can’t be mad or upset at myself.”
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Osaka struggled during her contest with Anisimova, but was more measured following the matchCredit: AFP
The 27-year-old is a former world no.1, having held the ranking for almost half a year ending in 2019, winning four Grand Slams between 2018 and 2021.
A dip in form has seen her fall to 24th in the WTA rankings, but a US Open run that saw her defeat the 15th, 11th and even 3rd ranked players has shown glimpses of her former self.
There is no shame in her loss to Anisimova, who now has a chance to go one better than her runner-up finish at Wimbledon in July.
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Osaka added when asked if she was surprised by the match: “I wouldn’t say it was a bigger challenge than I expected because I kind of knew she was that type of player.
“She went to the finals of Wimbledon and now she’s in the finals here, so it just shows that she is a really good player.”
Anisimova, 24, will have a shot at securing her first Grand Slam title when she takes on world no.1 Aryna Sabalenka on Saturday.
She beat the Belarusian star on her way to her final at Wimbledon, before suffering an unprecedented whitewash at the hands of Iga Swiatek.
She got revenge against Swiatek in New York earlier this week to set up her bout with Osaka, and her form would suggest she could be primed to upset the odds once again in the final.
AloJapan.com