Tennis. Australian Open – Naomi Osaka: “If I could have served, I could have won…”

As in the final Auckland early January, Naomi Osaka preferred to retire after losing the first set rather than worsen his pain on court. Facing the ghost and other mother on the circuit Belinda Bencicthe Japanese offered an hour of intense combat with quality play, before breaking down in the tie-break (7-6(3), ab.). Then, the abdominal pain that prevented her from serving correctly got the better of her, and the match ended suddenly. The disappointment is great to give up in the Grand Slam, but Patrick Mouratoglou’s protégé hopes to return for the American tour next March.

Video – Naomi Osaka after her retirement in Melbourne against Bencic

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“The competitor in me wanted to go all the way”

“We did everything we could. I went to treatment every day and did this stuff into the night. So the days were very long for me.” told Naomi Osakaaffected in the abdominals for several weeks, and forced to be limited in her movements on duty, this Friday, facing Belinda Bencic. It must be said that after Caroline Garcia et Karolina Muchovathe Japanese was not spared in the draw. She hopes to return as quickly as possible to erase the frustration of the month of January.

“Obviously after my last match, the situation got worse. It was a bit inevitable. But I think the competitor in me wanted to go all the way. If I could have served, I would could have won and gone further in the tournament. I was also in the final in Auckland… that sucks, I also think I could have won this tournament, my first title since my return. I’ll be able to solve this problem and find a way to recover on time and be ready for the American tour.”