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Premier League to Explain VAR Decisions on Social Media During Matches 

Liverpool's Conor Bradley, front, controls the ball during the English League Cup final soccer match between Chelsea and Liverpool in London, Feb. 25, 2024. (AP)
Liverpool's Conor Bradley, front, controls the ball during the English League Cup final soccer match between Chelsea and Liverpool in London, Feb. 25, 2024. (AP)
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Premier League to Explain VAR Decisions on Social Media During Matches 

Liverpool's Conor Bradley, front, controls the ball during the English League Cup final soccer match between Chelsea and Liverpool in London, Feb. 25, 2024. (AP)
Liverpool's Conor Bradley, front, controls the ball during the English League Cup final soccer match between Chelsea and Liverpool in London, Feb. 25, 2024. (AP)

The Premier League hopes to reduce frustration with the VAR system with the launch of a social media account that will provide near real-time updates and explanations regarding officiating and operational decisions for every match.

Teams voted in favor of keeping VAR in June despite huge amounts of criticism about the technology-aided officiating system last season, with Wolverhampton Wanderers initiating a petition to scrap it.

"In the absence of live VAR audio being broadcast, as it is not permitted in football, the Premier League Match Centre will be able to relay on social media near-live information from the VAR Hub during a game," the league said in a statement on Tuesday.

In addition to posting refereeing decisions, the X account, @PLMatchCentre, will also provide insights directly from the VAR hub and refereeing experts with the aim of bringing transparency, the league said.

Experts from PGMOL, the league’s officiating body, will also clarify the laws of the game and provide additional information and updates on the VAR decision-making processes when necessary.

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Osaka Perplexed by Power Struggles After Cincinnati Setback 

Naomi Osaka of Japan serves during her match against Ashlyn Krueger of the United States (not pictured) during Day 2 of the Cincinnati Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 12, 2024 in Mason, Ohio. (Getty Images/AFP)
Naomi Osaka of Japan serves during her match against Ashlyn Krueger of the United States (not pictured) during Day 2 of the Cincinnati Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 12, 2024 in Mason, Ohio. (Getty Images/AFP)
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Osaka Perplexed by Power Struggles After Cincinnati Setback 

Naomi Osaka of Japan serves during her match against Ashlyn Krueger of the United States (not pictured) during Day 2 of the Cincinnati Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 12, 2024 in Mason, Ohio. (Getty Images/AFP)
Naomi Osaka of Japan serves during her match against Ashlyn Krueger of the United States (not pictured) during Day 2 of the Cincinnati Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 12, 2024 in Mason, Ohio. (Getty Images/AFP)

Naomi Osaka said she still does not feel like herself on court eight months into her comeback season following a maternity break, with the four-times Grand Slam champion puzzled at her lack of power and accuracy.

The Japanese 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 of the year at the US Open from Aug. 26-Sept. 8.

"My biggest issue currently isn't losses though, my biggest issue is that I don't feel like I'm in my body," Osaka wrote on Instagram on Tuesday.

"It's a strange feeling, missing balls I shouldn't miss, hitting balls softer than I remember I used to. I try to tell myself, 'It's fine you're doing great. Just get through this one and keep pushing', mentally it's really draining through.

"Internally, I hear myself screaming, 'What the hell is happening?!?!'"

Osaka returned to action in January after a 15-month break during which she gave birth to her daughter. She is now ranked 90th in the world.

"I've played a handful of matches this year that I felt like I was myself and I know this moment is probably just a small phase from all the new transitions (clay, grass, clay, hard), however the only feeling I could liken how I feel right now to is being post-partum," Osaka said.

"That scares me because I've been playing tennis since I was three, the racket should feel like an extension of my hand."

Osaka's next event will be at Flushing Meadows, where she triumphed in 2018 and 2020, but she said she did not understand why everything about her game felt "almost brand new" again.

"This should be as simple as breathing to me, but it's not," she added.

"I genuinely did not give myself grace for that fact until just now."

Despite her struggles, Osaka said she loved putting in the work each day and "eventually having the opportunity to get to where you want to be".