Osaka’s indifferent Slam season limps to an end

Two-time US Open champion Naomi Osaka has limped to the end of her season at the Grand Slams with two first-round exits, a Wimbledon no-show and a third round on Australia.

The fragile Japanese player who won the Open in 2018 and 2020 and added Melbourne trophies in 2019 and 2021, has little to show for this season as she exited at Flushing Meadows.

Osaka lost 7-5, 6-3 to American Danielle Collins, this year’s Australian Open finalist.

Osaka, whose ranking has slumped to 44th as she plays her ninth event of 2022, could not get too worked up about her modest form.

“I felt like I was on my back foot a lot, I wouldn’t say that I played very well, but I tried my hardest,” she said of a loss in the early hours of Wednesday.

“I lost in the first round of France, too…this year hasn’t really been a great year.”

The player who mentioned some current back pain problems added: “It was just special to play on Ashe. A lot of players would die for that opportunity.”

Osaka does not seem too worried about the trajectory of her once-promising career.

“My head is still like everywhere, I’m not really sure right now,” she said without clarifying much. 

“I’m not sure what’s different from before. If I knew that, I would be able to change it and fix something. 

“I can’t really answer that question right now. Maybe later.”