Crossword Genius

First decision, I emphasised, was upset (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

distressed

'upset' is the definition.
(I know that upset can be written as distressed)

'first decision i emphasised' is the wordplay.
'first decision' becomes 'd' (1st letter of 'decision').
'emphasised' becomes 'stressed' (similar in meaning).
'd'+'i'+'stressed'='DISTRESSED'

'was' is the link.

(Other definitions for distressed that I've seen before include "in anguish?" , "In deep pain or sorrow" , "Upset; deliberately aged" , "like Samson when deprived of his strength?" , "Anxious" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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