‘Don’t Want To Have All Those Points Taken Off’ – Naomi Osaka Cautions Emma Raducanu About the Pressure of Defending Her US Open Title

Published 08/29/2022, 3:02 PM EDT

The defending US Open champion Emma Raducanu has received some suggestions from two-time US Open champion, Naomi Osaka, ahead of her first title defense. Raducanu ranked No.11 in the world, has so far been unable to maintain the incredible form that allowed her to become the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam. If she loses her first match this time around, she would fall below the top 80 in the world rankings.

This week, the British number one will return to the court where her incredible journey on the WTA tour gained the recognition of the world. And on the other hand, Osaka, a former world number one, has twice won the US Open and the Australian Open, but she has never advanced past the fourth round of a championship defense.

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Osaka’s word of advice for Raducanu

Osaka highlighted the expectations of entering the tournament as the defending champion, as well as her own success at Flushing Meadows. Osaka ranked No.44 in the world, took a break from tennis after failing in the third round in Flushing Meadows last season.

She said, “I definitely think there is a bit more stress when you’re defending, especially since people throw the word around. You think about points and stuff.”

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However, she also added about the pressure that comes in with being the defending champion. She said, “You don’t want to have all those points taken off. I definitely think it is something that’s in the back of your mind. I don’t know. You just want to replicate, like, the success that you’ve done the year prior.”

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Naomi Osaka, all set for her favorite Grand Slam event

Osaka withdrew from the Wimbledon Championships earlier this year owing to an Achilles issue. She is hopeful that participating in her most favorite Grand Slam event will help her regain her form.

The Japanese player struggled in 2022, which saw her fall down in the WTA rankings. Additionally, she was eliminated in the first round of the Canadian Open and the Cincinnati Masters. As the 44th-ranked player in the world, she will face Danielle Collins in the opening round of the US Open.

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On Tuesday night at Louis Armstrong stadium, Raducanu will play her opening round match. The 19-year-old will face a tough battle in the opening round when she plays French tennis star, Alize Cornet. Can Raducanu replicate her last year’s US Open victory?

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Written by:

Pratishtha Prakash is a Tennis Writer at EssentiallySports. She has completed her Bachelor’s degree in Mass Media and Journalism from MIT ADT University, Pune. Being a sports enthusiast, she has a keen interest in tennis, cricket and esports.

Edited by:

Tony Thomas

‘Don’t Want To Have All Those Points Taken Off’ – Naomi Osaka Cautions Emma Raducanu About the Pressure of Defending Her US Open Title

Osaka’s word of advice for Raducanu

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Naomi Osaka, all set for her favorite Grand Slam event