Former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka revealed she was hampered by an Achilles issue after suffering a surprise defeat in Madrid.
On Sunday, four-time Grand Slam champion Osaka exited Madrid after Sara Sorribes Tormo beat the Japanese 6-3 6-1.
Osaka, who defeated Anastasia Potapova in the Madrid first round, revealed she felt pain in her Achilles after her opener at Caja Magica but refused to pull out of the tournament.
“Honestly, I have had it before, like maybe two years ago I think after Miami or something. But I can’t imagine that it will be a huge problem unless something significant happens, but I think for right now, just learning how to move forward with everything,” Osaka told WTA Insider.
Osaka: “Honestly, I have had it before, like maybe two years ago I think after Miami or something. But I can’t imagine that it will be a huge problem unless something significant happens, but I think for right now, just learning how to move forward with everything.”
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) May 1, 2022
Naomi Osaka says she felt pain in her Achilles immediately after her opening match. Tried to rest it by taking a day off but pain got worse as she warmed up. Says she’s not concerned but will get an ultrasound to get details.
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) May 1, 2022
Osaka on feeling embarassed after the French Open scene
Before last year’s French Open, Osaka announced she would not be doing press conferences Roland Garros.
After winning her French Open first round and receiving criticism, Osaka decided to abruptly pull of the tournament.
Now, in an interview with CBS News, Osaka opened up and revealed she didn’t leave her house for two weeks after the French Open scene.
“At the time that that happened, I was really sad,” Osaka told CBS News, as quoted on Sportskeeda. “And honestly, I was a bit embarrassed because I had never received media attention like that before. I didn’t really know how to cope with it. I don’t know, I was kind of hiding inside my house for like two weeks.”
After pulling out of the French Open, Osaka admitted to battling depression and anxiety.
According to Osaka, one mother approached her in a grocery store and told her that her speaking about mental health helped her son, who was also battling anxiety.
That moment, Osaka felt proud of her actions.
“But when I came out to go to the grocery store or something, there was a woman that came up to me,” Osaka added. “She was saying how her son deals with anxiety and I really helped him out a lot. I think that was a moment that I realized, ‘Oh … I might have actually helped someone.’ Even though I was a bit scared, I was happy with the choice that I made.”