Disbelief, support in Japan as Naomi Osaka knocked out of Games
The host country’s superstar is out of the Tokyo Olympics.
Naomi Osaka lost to former French Open finalist Marketa Vondrousova of the Czech Republic 6-1, 6-4 in the third round on Tuesday.
The second-ranked Osaka, who was born in Japan and grew up in the United States, struggled throughout her final match.
Osaka, who lit the Olympic cauldron in the opening ceremony, won her opening two matches in straight sets after a two-month mental-health break.
Shortly after the match was over, organisers said that Osaka had left the venue and would not be talking to the media.
Her loss comes after she announced in May going into the French Open that she wouldn’t speak to reporters, saying those interactions create doubts for her. Then, after her first-round victory in Paris, she skipped the mandatory news conference.
Osaka was fined $15,000 and — surprisingly — publicly reprimanded by those in charge of Grand Slam tournaments.
The next day, Osaka withdrew from Roland Garros entirely to take a mental health break, revealing she has dealt with depression.
TOKYO:
‘No way!’
“Masaka” — or, in English, “No way!.” That’s how an incredulous Japan reacted to the news.
And people quickly turned to an outpouring of sympathy. “Watching you gave me courage. You don’t have to win a medal. Watching you play is enough for all your fans,” said Yuji Taida, a novelist. Japanese media relayed urgent reports on her loss, with “masaka” in the headlines.
“Her mother’s motherland. Her dream to stand at the pinnacle, with the rising sun on her heart, was not to be,” reported Sports Hochi, a Japanese daily sports newspaper.
Japanese media made a point to say Osaka had answered “hai,” or “yes” in Japanese, when asked a question by reporters in Japanese and noted that tears were running down her cheeks. Shotaro Akiyama, a university student who loves to play tennis, said he hoped Osaka wouldn’t give up. “The opponent just played a smarter game this time,” he said. “She will have another chance at the gold.”