So here we are, watching Naomi Osaka, that fiery four-time Major champ, wrestling with her own spotlight and some well-deserved frustration after her recent French Open heartbreaker against Paula Badosa. Now picture this: The Moon doing its emotional tango in sensitive Cancer, stirring up all those mushy feelings—no wonder Naomi got a little loose-lipped post-match, fearing a fine for her candid slip! Honestly, who among us hasn’t cursed the stars—or our lousy game—when the pressure’s on? Osaka’s openly wrestling with that nagging feeling of “I should be doing better,” a sentiment waving the white flag but also sparking the fighter’s fire in her. Fans? They’re rallying in droves, showing love and empathy for a star still finding her rhythm amid motherhood and the grind of pro tennis. So, is it possible that Naomi’s biggest ace is that raw human moment, reminding us all that even the brightest stars falter and rebuild? Oh yes, darling, the cosmic drama continues, and I’m all here for it. LEARN MORE.
Naomi Osaka is worried that she’ll get fined after she cursed out following her loss to Paula Badosa, which left her very emotional.
The tennis star also appeared to be anxious about her recent performance as she explained that she feels like she “should be doing better.”
With a clip of Naomi Osaka’s tearful moment going viral online, many fans have taken to social media to show their support.
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Osaka expressed concerns that she may get fined after she used the F word in a post-match address following her loss to world number 10 Paula Badosa.
The four-time Major winner was moved to tears following what she considers a dismal turnout as she blew an early break lead to lose 6-7 (1-7) 6-1 6-4 in the first round at the French Open.
She said that she feared she was letting people down, particularly her coach, Patrick, and briefly had to leave her post-match press conference when she became emotional.
“I mean, I think as time goes on, I feel like I should be doing better. But also, I kind of talked about this before, maybe a couple years ago, or maybe recently, I’m not sure,” Osaka said, per TheExpress.
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“I hate disappointing people. So, like, even with Patrick, I was thinking this just now, but he goes from working with, like, the greatest player ever to, like, What the f-ck this is? You know what I mean? Sorry for cursing, I hope I don’t get fined, but…” she trailed off.
She was then asked if she wanted a moment for herself, but she appeared to be lost for words.
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Osaka had always mentioned how her goal was to improve her game on clay and grass so she could eventually complete the career Grand Slam by winning the French Open and Wimbledon.
The former world No. 1 hasn’t had things go her way and dropped down to the WTA 125 level to get extra matches on the clay. That effort eventually paid off earlier this month as she ended her four-year trophy drought by winning the L’Open 35 de Saint-Malo.
When asked how the defeat could make her stronger, Osaka said: “I hope you can tell me that. I think I’m not sure.”
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“I feel like I learn little things from each match. I think I lost the tiebreaker in Rome, and I didn’t lose the tiebreaker here. So, I mean, I am conscious of things when I’m playing, so maybe the next match I play, I’ll learn little things from today,” she added.
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Since the loss at the French Open, several fans have taken to social media to share their reactions to the 27-year-old tennis star’s take on her games.
“Her brand is so big from her early success that it’s hard to rekindle the same fire she had before the world knew her,” a fan wrote. “She’s gonna have to let go of everything else in her life outside tennis practice if she ever wants to get back on top. It’s difficult when you’re so comfortable financially. If she never plays another match, she’s wealthy. She has to commit relentlessly to get back on top.”
Another fan said, “That hit hard. Naomi still has that fire. She needs space. Doubt is part of the game. This is not the end. Time resets the mind.”
Other individuals online claimed that Osaka was taking the loss too hard, noting that the tennis star should be less focused on chasing her past self.
One fan said their “Naomi is too hard on herself about ‘getting back to the athlete she was before becoming a mom,'” adding that her body is “different” now and that she needs to “step back and reset.”
Another person said, “It’s sad she feels that way. I thought she’d come back after motherhood and pick right back up, just because she is younger. This makes what Serena did look even more unimaginable.”
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In a recent interview with Hello! Magazine, Osaka got candid about motherhood after welcoming daughter Shai in 2023 with her then-partner Cordae. The tennis star said working as a mom was “so fulfilling” but “tough.”
“My career requires me to travel for most of the year, which makes it tough when I have to be away from my daughter so frequently, but I’ve got such a great support system around,” she told the publication. “It takes a village, and I truly couldn’t do it without mine.”
She continued, “Motherhood has definitely given me a broader perspective on life. Kids require so much patience, and I’ve definitely learned to be more patient through my daughter,” adding, “I have a great team around me, and they are there with me during the highs and lows.”