Naomi Osaka’s Olympic run has come to an unexpected end. In the third round of the Olympic tennis tournament, Osaka was defeated by Marketa Vondrousova of the Czech Republic 6-1, 6-4. Vondrousova has previously won the 2019 French Open.
“I’m disappointed in every loss, but I feel like this one sucks more than the others,” Osaka said, per ESPN.
“I definitely feel like there was a lot of pressure for this,” Osaka said. “I think it’s maybe because I haven’t played in the Olympics before and for the first year [it] was a bit much.” Vondrousova went on to empathize with Osaka on her loss and the “pressure” the tennis star must have felt.
“It’s tough for her also playing in Japan and in the Olympics,” said Vondrousova. “It’s so much pressure, I cannot imagine.” Despite the unexpected loss Osaka previously mentioned the honor it was to carry the cauldron at the Olympic U.S. Open. The tennis star said it was, “undoubtedly the greatest athletic achievement and honor I will ever have in my life.”