Two-time champion Naomi Osaka said it feels like "my heart dies every time I lose" after her US Open comeback ended in a second-round defeat by Karolina Muchova.
Japan's Osaka, who won the title in 2018 and 2020, missed last year's tournament after giving birth to her daughter Shai.
The 26-year-old claimed her first top-10 victory in over four years when she beat Jelena Ostapenko in the first round.
However, she could not topple Czech Muchova, losing 6-3 7-6 (7-5) after squandering three set points to force a decider.
"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," she said.
Osaka, who also won the Australian Open in 2019 and 2021, spoke before the US Open about not feeling "like I'm in my body" since her return from maternity leave.
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