US Open: Defending champion Osaka suffers shock loss

Two-time champion Naomi Osaka’s US Open title defense ended in tears on Friday at Arthur Ashe Stadium, New York.

Osala suffered a stunning defeat in the third round to 18-year-old  Canadian Leylah Fernandez 5-7 7-6(2) 6-4.

At the post-match presser, Osaka told reporters that she plans to take a break from the sport.

For Osaka, it was a surprise ending to her first grand slam back after she withdrew from the French Open and Wimbledon due to mental health issues.

Holding back tears in her post-match press conference, she said: “This is very hard to articulate. 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. Sorry.

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

“How do I go around saying this? I feel like for me recently when I win I don’t feel happy. I feel more like a relief. And then when I lose, I feel very sad. I don’t think that’s normal. I didn’t really want to cry.”

Asked what caused the defeat, she added: “I don’t think it was her serve because I’ve been able to return pretty well against people that served better. I don’t think it’s the occasion because I’ve been in this situation before.

“I guess we’re all dealing with some stuff, but I know that I’m dealing with some stuff.”

The 23-year-old’s future in the game seems to be in doubt after she said she will not play again for a “while”.