Pressure off as Osaka hopes for better Wimbledon fortune

AFP  |  London 

With the burden of being world number one lifted, will set her sights on Wimbledon, buoyed by the support of and praying for a decent draw this year.

She admitted that loss to Katerina Siniakova, ranked 42 at the time, was "the best thing that could have happened" for a so uncomfortable in the spotlight.

Since then, she has lost her top ranking and will head into next week seeded at number two.

Osaka could not be more thrilled.

"During my entire clay season, it kind of mattered and it showed because I was kind of stressed out the entire time," she said when asked about the intense scrutiny which came with being the world's top who was hunting a title to add to her US and crowns.

"Now, I'm just kind of having fun. I'm kind of chilling." At the French Open, Osaka complained that the pressures she faced were causing her to suffer constant headaches, stress and

However, when draw is made on Friday, more could be on the way.

Her last two trips to the have ended in back-to-back third round losses against players at ease on grass courts.

In 2017, she was defeated by five-time champion who went on to reach the final.

Last year, she fell to eventual champion with Osaka collecting just six games against the German on

Osaka has just one win on grass this summer although she did make the semi-finals in last year, losing to Ashleigh Barty, the Australian who has since taken her world top ranking.

"You know, grass, I'm not really that comfortable with it," admitted Osaka, who said the challenges left her "screaming inside" during her win in against last week.

"It's just really different to everything I have played on. As a little kid, I never played on grass." It has been a roller-coaster first half of 2019 for Osaka.

Since winning the Australian Open, she split with and has yet to make another final.

However, she has powerful support in the shape of 20-time major winner Federer who faced similar bouts of fluctuating form and self-doubt in his early years, especially after winning a first Slam at in 2003.

"After that I also didn't win everything. From having nothing to lose it suddenly changes, everyone now feels like it's an amazing win to beat you," said the eight-time Wimbledon champion.

"She has a head start with her two Grand Slams. Now she's done it, she knows she can do it again. I think she's doing pretty well. You can't win every week, nobody does that.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Thu, June 27 2019. 10:00 IST