- Grand slam winner says tennis feels ‘almost brand new’
- Patchy run continues with loss in Cincinnati qualifiers
Naomi Osaka said she still does not feel like herself on court eight months into her comeback season after a maternity break, with the four-time grand slam title winner puzzled at her lack of power and accuracy.
The 26-year-old was beaten by Ashlyn Krueger in the second round of qualifying for the Cincinnati Open, the latest setback in a patchy run of form heading into the final grand slam tournament of the year at the US Open, which starts on 26 August. Osaka triumphed at Flushing Meadows in 2018 and 2020.