Osaka disappointed after early Garros exit

PARIS, France (AFP) — Naomi Osaka said she “hates disappointing people” after sliding to a tough three-set loss to Spanish 10th seed Paula Badosa in the first round of the French Open on Monday.

Four-time Grand Slam champion Osaka saved a set point in the opening set before dominating the tie-break, but Badosa ran away with the second set to force a decider.

Osaka regrouped and broke early for a 2-0 lead only for Badosa to quickly pull level, landing the crucial break in the seventh game on her way to a 6-7 (1/7), 6-1, 6-4 victory.

“It was a tough match,” said Osaka, who suffered an agonising loss to eventual champion Iga Swiatek in last year’s second round, having held a match point.

“I think as time goes on, I feel like I should be doing better.”

Former world No. 1 Osaka is now working with Patrick Mouratoglou, the long-time coach to Serena Williams.

She won a lower-level title on clay earlier this month and is back in the top 50 but is still fighting to return to the sport’s upper echelons.

“I hate disappointing people,” said a visibly emotional Osaka.

“So, like, even with Patrick, I was thinking this just now, but he goes from working with, like, the greatest player ever to, like this? You know what I mean?”

Osaka did not play in 2023 due to the birth of her daughter and struggled for consistency after returning to the professional circuit last season.

But the 27-year-old had the second round in her sights after taking a one-set lead over Badosa, whose injury problems had limited her to two matches on clay in the build-up to Roland Garros.