Dubai: France’s Kristina Mladenovic stunned World No.1 Naomi Osaka in the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships beating the Japanese 6-3, 6-3 here, Tuesday.
The match against Mladenovic was Osaka’s first since claiming the top spot with her Australian Open triumph. The Japanese superstar could survive for just over an hour, making 25 unforced errors while winning less than half of her first serve points.
A tearful Osaka admitted in the post-match press conference that she was struggling with the pressures of being the top ranked female tennis player in the world. She also said that the scrutiny she is facing after her recent split with coach Sascha Bajin is affecting her game.
“This result is the result of that,” she told reporters of her coaching shake-up. “I’m pretty sure as time goes on you guys will stop talking about it. For now, it’s like the biggest tennis news, I guess. See, it’s a little bit hard because I feel like people are staring at me, and not in a good way.”
Osaka became an overnight sensation after beating Serena Williams in the final at Flushing Meadows. However, she admitted that she is struggling with the amount of attention being paid to her.
“I don’t think I necessarily understand what position I’m in a way,” she said wiping away tears. “And because last year I wasn’t even anywhere close to this ranking and people didn’t pay attention to me and that’s something that I’m comfortable with,” said the Japanese.
Meanwhile, ranked 67th in the world, Mladenovic seemed jubilant after booking a tie against Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro in the last 16. “It (the win) means a lot, honestly,” she said. “I know I’m capable of beating great players.”
Agencies
