Klara Zakopalova has said that she found it difficult to breathe during her defeat to Kurumi Nara in Sunday's Rio Open final.
The Czech entered the event as the top seed, but she fell at the last hurdle, losing 6-1 4-6 6-1 to Nara in a humid 32°C environment.
"I have an asthma problem so I couldn't breathe," Zakopalova told reporters. "But it's not an excuse. Well done to Kurumi. She deserved it. She played really well."
Zakopalova has now lost six consecutive singles finals.
