A teary Naomi Osaka said Tuesday the increased focus she has come under contributed to a poor performance that saw her beaten in her first match since becoming singles world No. 1.
Speaking at a press conference after her 6-3, 6-3 loss to Kristina Mladenovic in the Dubai Tennis Championships second round, Osaka said she is not completely comfortable with the scrutiny that comes with being the world's top women's player.
"I don't really like attention, so yeah, it has been a little tough," the 21-year-old reigning U.S. and Australian Open champion said.
The match was also her first since splitting with German coach Sascha Bajin, who had overseen her rise to the top of the sport.
Normally one of her most potent weapons, Osaka's serve let her down in the loss to world No. 67 Mladenovic.
Osaka managed to land just 45 percent of her first serves in the court and won 55 percent of those points, both well below her season averages. She also hit just one ace against five double faults as she was swept aside in 66 minutes.
"It let me down, that's an understatement," said Osaka when asked about her serve. "It was a disaster."
"I thought I played pretty bad. There are days that you have like that and you have to find a way to win no matter what the situation is. I played against a really good player."
Playing in her third tournament of the season, Osaka said her poor practice form carried over into her first match in Dubai, with her French opponent taking full advantage.
"I have not been practicing well recently but I thought it would go away during the matches. I was kind of counting on that and that didn't happen," she said.
"There have been times when (practice) has been worse than now and I managed to play well in matches. But when I say I have not been practicing well, it is just rhythm. I feel like I have not been doing enough."
Despite her downcast assessment of her current form, Osaka, who dropped seven service games against Mladenovic, has no doubt she can bounce back, and soon.
"I think I play well after I lose a...bad match, so I am just looking forward to the next one."
"I feel like even if I don't win any matches for the rest of the year, I wouldn't say I'm concerned. I'm pretty young and I still feel like I have a lot to learn. For me, that is the biggest thing."
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