Racket-kicking Osaka admits she was ‘a bit childish’

Agence France-Presse

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Racket-kicking Osaka admits she was ‘a bit childish’

AFP

Former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka says her Chinese foe's 'slicing and dicing and getting everything' riled her

 

 

MELBOURNE, Australia – Naomi Osaka conceded she had been “a bit childish” after her frustrations boiled over on Wednesday, January 22 in setting up a third-round showdown with teenager Coco Gauff at the Australian Open.

The reigning champion handled the blustery Melbourne conditions to defeat China’s 42nd-ranked Zheng Saisai, 6-2, 6-4. 

But the 22-year-old Japanese was irritated by Zheng’s defensive play and her emotions got the better of her when the Chinese broke early in the 2nd set.

Osaka threw her racket to the floor, then gave it a kick for good measure.

The two-time Grand Slam champion also tossed away a ball and slammed the racket down again as she slumped to her chair, covering her head with her towel.

“My racket just magically flew out of my hand,” Osaka said mischievously, smiling.

“I couldn’t control it, I think that’s how I dealt with my frustration.

“It was a bit childish. I just want to play one match without throwing my racket or kicking it. That’s all I want.”

The former world No. 1, seeded 3rd for the defense of her Melbourne title, said that Zheng’s way of playing – “slicing and dicing and getting everything” – had riled her.

“It’s really tough because you start thinking – she’s not hitting winners.”

“I definitely got very frustrated in the 2nd set and it’s something that I knew would happen,” Osaka added.

“But I didn’t know the scale, what she would do to make me frustrated.”

 

 

– Rappler.com

 

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