Former world No. 1 and first Asian Tennis to be ranked, Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from the upcoming Pan Pacific Open tennis tournament in Tokyo due to a lower back injury, organizers said Friday.
Japanese Tennis Player Osaka, currently ranked 58th, hurt her back and retired before the third set of her China Open round-of-16 match against Coco Gauff of the United States.
The four-time Grand Slam champion is also sitting out this week’s Japan Open in Osaka, After suffering the injury in Seoul, Grand Slam champion has missed a series of major tournaments, including Beijing and her hometown event in Osaka.
The WTA 500 Pan Pacific Open is scheduled to begin Monday at Ariake Tennis Forest Park.
Osaka, who hoped to make her comeback as a mom in Tokyo, admitted just days ago that the injury was more serious than expected. “It was worse than what I thought… I’m trying my best to potentially play Tokyo but I’m still waiting to see what the doctor says,” she shared in an Instagram Q&A.
Her withdrawal is disappointing for everyone involved, especially for the Tokyo organizers and her devoted fans. Osaka had been looking forward to competing on home soil, where she’s been a two-time runner-up. However, the former world No. 1 has her sights set on Hong Kong’s WTA 250 tournament next month, hoping to make a return if her recovery progresses.
Osaka’s fans will be keeping their fingers crossed for her recovery and a strong comeback in Hong Kong, where she previously reached the quarterfinals. Here’s hoping we’ll see Osaka back in action on October 28!
We wish her a quick recovery as soon as possible fans pray.
