After the local fans lost the chance to see Naomi Osaka shine, the four-time Grand Slam champion had to call it a day in the Japan Open as a result of her left leg injury Friday.
The ex-world No. 1 who just celebrated her 28th birthday this week was noticeably struggling with the trek to a nail-biting three-set victory over defending champion Suzan Lamens on Wednesday.
Even though Osaka proved her mettle, she had to have a heavy bandage on her left thigh and later stated that it was only with the help of painkillers that she could get through the match.
The tournament organizers made the announcement of her quitting through a statement on X (formerly Twitter), “We regret to inform you that Naomi Osaka has not recovered from a left leg injury she sustained in the second round of this tournament and has withdrawn from the quarter-finals scheduled for today.”
Osaka would face Romanian Jaqueline Cristian in the quarter-finals if she had progressed. Her withdrawal make Leylah Fernandez, the fourth seed, as the highest-ranked player left in the draw.
The world No. 16 at present, Osaka will probably figure out her condition before making a decision if she will participate in the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo next week.
