Naomi Osaka is in danger of losing her No. 1 ranking in women’s tennis after getting eliminated in the French Open.
Surprisingly, Osaka told the media that her her early exit was “probably the best thing that could have happened” and that she was suffering headaches from the “stress” of being the top seed.
Her bid for a third Grand Slam in a row ended with a 6-4 6-2 third-round defeat by unseeded Czech Katerina Siniakova.
Osaka struggled in her first and second match on the French Open’s clay courts. She achieved her No. 1 ranking after winning the US Open and Australian Open.
“I feel like there has been a weight on me,” the Japanese American 21-year-old said.
“In this tournament I have had a feeling that was different to the other Grand Slam tournaments.
“Usually, I find it very freeing and fun but this time I was kind of tense the entire time.
“I think I was overthinking this calendar Slam.”
Although officially representing the Japanese tennis association, Osaka was raised in, lives and trains in the U.S.
Serena Williams, who has won the French Open three times, was also eliminated in the third round by unseeded American Sofia Kenin.
Williams, 37, was seeded 10th but lost 6-2 7-5 to her 20-year-old compatriot.
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