Naomi Osaka to take another break from tennis after US Open loss

Naomi Osaka is considering taking a step back from tennis after her three-set loss to Leylah Fernandez in the third round at the US Open.

Osaka struggled to find her rhythm throughout the match, falling to Fernandez 5-7, 7-6 (2), 6-4, breaking the Canadian teen only once throughout their contest.

Leylah Fernandez, folks!@leylahfernandez | #USOpen pic.twitter.com/IVjxcZj3Kh

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 4, 2021

Following Friday’s defeat, Osaka told reporters in an emotional press conference that she plans to take a break from the sport.

“I feel like for me recently, like, when I win, I don’t feel happy,” said Osaka, adding, “I feel more like a relief. And then when I lose, I feel very sad. I don’t think that’s normal.”

Osaka hasn’t had much time on the court this season, stepping away from tennis after the French Open, citing her mental health.

“Basically I feel like I’m kind of at this point where I’m trying to figure out what I want to do, and I honestly don’t know when I’m going to play my next tennis match,” said Osaka.

“I think I’m going to take a break from playing for a while.”

Osaka’s ouster, Fernandez, will play No. 17 Angelique Kerber in the US Open’s Round of 16 after Kerber knocked out Sloane Stephens.