Four-time major winner Naomi Osaka said she “hates disappointing people” after she lost to Spain’s Paula Badosa in the first round of the French Open.
Japan’s Osaka, 27, won her first title in almost two years earlier this month following a maternity break in 2023.
Against Badosa she saved a set point before dominating the first-set tie-break, but the Spanish 10th seed showed resilience to fight back and win 6-7 (1-7) 6-1 6-4.
Osaka briefly left her news conference to compose herself after becoming upset.
“As time goes on, I feel like I should be doing better. I hate disappointing people,” said an emotional Osaka, who is working with Patrick Mouratoglou – the long-time coach to Serena Williams.
“So even with Patrick, I was thinking this just now, but he goes from working with the greatest player ever to…this? You know what I mean?”
The four-time Grand Slam champion has not gone past the third round of a major since her return to the WTA Tour after the birth of her daughter Shai in July 2023.
She called a medical timeout after the end of the first set against Badosa as she struggled with blisters on her fingers during the match.
“Since Rome, I have had blisters on my hands. I think it’s from the friction of clay, because I don’t have blisters on any other surface,” Osaka said.