OSAKA FAULT HAS ASH IN FASHION
ASH Barty’s hopes of retaining the world No.1 ranking for an extended term have been boosted with the Wimbledon failure of Naomi Osaka.
Osaka’s shock 7-6 (7-4), 6-2 loss to Kazakhstan’s world No.39 Yulia Putintseva left the Japanese star in tears and gave Barty breathing space at the top.
Australian and US Open champion Osaka barely maintained composure at her post-match interview, asking a moderator: “Can I leave? I feel like I’m about to cry.”
Since lifting January’s Australian Open, and splitting with coach Sascha Bajin, Osaka has made only one semi-final.
Asked how she would regroup, Osaka said: “I mean, the key for me was just having fun, I guess.
“Like learning how to have fun, kind of taking pressure off myself. I hope I can somehow find a way to do that.”
Ahead of Osaka by 118 rankings points, Barty could be overtaken as No.1 at Wimbledon by three other players – Karolina Pliskova, Kiki Bertens and Petra Kvitova.
Barty was due to start her quest for a second major overnight against China’s Zheng Saisai, having won her past 12 matches.
Barty’s mentor Ben Crowe said the French Open champion’s extraordinary progress over the past year had partly been because of a changed mindset.
“She’s given herself permission to be imperfect,” Crowe said.
“Her growth as a person has been extraordinary and as a player, exemplary.
“But I’m not surprised at all. Your greatest growth can come from your darkest times.”