Naomi Osaka Is Out at Australian Open, but Looking Ahead
MELBOURNE, Australia — Upset again in the third round by a young unseeded talent on the rise, Naomi Osaka was in a different mood and better place at this Grand Slam tournament.
In September, after her three-set loss to Leylah Fernandez at the U.S. Open, Osaka was downcast, confused and in need of an extended break from the game to rekindle her passion for tennis.
Late Friday night in Melbourne, after her three-set loss to Amanda Anisimova at the Australian Open, Osaka was disappointed but eager to see the bright side and look ahead to a full season.
“I fought for every point; I can’t be sad about that,” Osaka said. “You know, like, I’m not God. I can’t win every match, you know. So I just have to take that into account and know that it would be nice to win the tournament, but that’s, like, really special.”
