After her win at the Australian Open a year ago, Naomi Osaka claimed the No. 1 ranking for the first time in her career. Since then, things haven’t gone as expected. Injuries and premature exits have held Osaka back, making 2019 the “toughest year” of Osaka’s life.
The 22-year-old Osaka said the win at the Australian Open brought increased pressure and coverage. When she lost at Wimbledon in July, Osaka said she decided to stop focusing on the outside noise, according to ESPN.
"Until Wimbledon I did," she said Saturday, referring to her first-round exit at the All England Club in July.