Osaka pulls out of Japan Open quarters citing leg injury
Naomi Osaka withdrew from the Japan Open ahead of her quarter-final on Friday after failing to recover from a leg injury.
The four-time Grand Slam champion was visibly emotional following her hard-fought last-16 win over defending champion Suzan Lamens on Wednesday, a match she finished with heavy strapping on her left thigh.
Tournament organisers confirmed on X that Osaka, the top seed and recently turned 28, had been forced to pull out of her scheduled match against Romania’s Jaqueline Cristian.
“Naomi Osaka has not recovered from a left leg injury sustained during the second round and has withdrawn from today’s quarter-final,” the statement read.
Her withdrawal leaves fourth seed Leylah Fernandez as the highest-ranked player remaining in the draw. Osaka, currently world No. 16, is still expected to compete at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo next week, fitness permitting.
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