The Japanese star was eliminated in the second round at Flushing Meadows following a straight-sets loss to Karolina Muchova and admits that she has been taking defeats "personally" since returning to the sport after becoming a mother last year.

Osaka said: "It's a little rough because I do take these losses really personally. It's like a dramatic word, but I feel like my heart dies every time I lose.

"It sucks a lot, but I've been trying to be more mature and learn and talk more about them.

"It's been a little difficult because obviously I can only gauge how I'm doing by results. Like, I feel faster. I feel better, but I lost in the second round. So it's a little rough.

"But, also, it's been fun playing a lot of tournaments. It's been a commitment for sure, but I've been able to go to different cities that I've never been to."

The former world number one thinks that a lack of recent experience on the biggest stages meant that she felt "nervous" at key points during the match.

Osaka explained: "I felt like I had to keep fighting. I didn't feel like I was playing as perfectly as before, but I don't think you can play perfectly every match. I'm not too sure.

"I think during the pressure moments I got nervous, and I don't know if I just have to keep playing more matches and get used to that feeling, especially on a really big stage.

"Honestly, if I get past the disappointment, I feel pretty proud of myself to have gotten that many opportunities while still feeling like I could have played much better."