Osaka pulls out of Japan Open 250 event due to back injury

The former world No 1 said her back locked up in practice before her match with Coco Gauff in Beijing

Imago / Panoramic

October 7, 2024

Naomi Osaka has pulled out of next week’s WTA 250 event in Tokyo because of a back injury.

The former world No 1 suffered the injury during last week’s China Open, where she was beaten by Coco Gauff in the fourth round, and has not recovered in time to play.

“We would like to inform you that Naomi Osaka (Japan/Freelance), who who was scheduled to participate in the women’s tournament of the Kinoshita Group Japan Open Tennis Championships 2024… will be unable to participate due to injury,” the tournament said on its Twitter feed.

10月14日(月)より20日(日)まで（予選：10月12日(土)・13 日(日)）、モリタテニスセンター靱（大阪市西区）で開催する「木下グループジャパンオープンテニスチャンピオンシップス…
— 木下グループジャパンオープンテニス (@japanopentennis) October 7, 2024

After being forced to withdraw in the third set of her match with Gauff, Osaka explained that the injury had occurred in practice.

I locked my back up during practice earlier and honestly wasn’t sure if I could even play [against Gauff]. But I just wanted to try,” she said on social media.

“Unfortunately, things got progressively worse during the match. Totally worth it though.”

Osaka is due to play in the WTA 500 event in Tokyo the week beginning October 21.