Naomi Osaka admitted she has been “stressed out” by living up to her US Open win after losing in the China Open semi-finals.
Osaka was beaten 6-4 6-4 on Saturday by unseeded Anastasija Sevastova, a month after winning her first Grand Slam.
“I think definitely as the weeks go by, I have this feeling of wanting to prove myself,” Osaka said afterwards.
“I think that sort of takes a toll on me a little bit because I stress myself out in a way.
“If you don’t win a tournament, then people will say, ‘Oh, she hasn’t won a tournament’.
“If you haven’t won a Slam, they’ll say, ‘She hasn’t won a Slam’.
“Then if you win one Grand Slam, they’re like, ‘Oh, she only won one Grand Slam.’
“I know it’s bad, but I sort of read the comments (online or in media). I’m just, like, ‘Oh, I guess I have to do more, to be better’.”
