Naomi Osaka’s return to tennis has been met with both excitement and disappointment, as fans have received devastating news regarding her fitness. At the China Open, Osaka reached the fourth round in what was her first Asian swing tournament of the season. Facing off against the formidable Coco Gauff, Naomi initially took control, clinching the first set 6-3. However, as the match progressed, it became clear that she was struggling with a back injury. And now despite her best efforts to heal and regain her form, Osaka continues to face difficulties with her health.

The fallout from Osaka’s injury has been swift and disheartening. Tennis journalist Jose Morgado tweeted, “Terrible news,” announcing that Osaka has not only withdrawn from the Wuhan Open but also from the upcoming Japan Open in Tokyo. Scheduled to take place on October 14-20, 2024. Unfortunately, this means that her fans will miss out on seeing their favorite player compete in her home country.

It’s been a tough time for Naomi Osaka. She had high hopes for her season upon returning from maternity leave, but the journey has been fraught with challenges. After welcoming her daughter in July 2023, the four-time Grand Slam champion made her comeback to competitive tennis in January 2024. While she initially showed promise, including a strong performance at the China Open where she reached the fourth round, injuries have plagued her recent efforts.

In a heartfelt Instagram post, Osaka expressed her disappointment about missing out on these tournaments. She shared that she had felt “locked up” during practice and wanted to give it a shot despite not being sure of her condition.

She said, “Hi everyone just wanted to say I’m extremely thankful and happy to have played in Beijing. That being said I feel like I owe a little backstory about today- So I locked my back up during practice earlier and honestly wasn’t sure if I could even play but I just wanted to try, unfortunately, things just got progressively worse during the match. Totally worth it though lol.”

Her withdrawal from the Japan Open is especially disheartening given the emotional connection she has with the local fans. With support from fellow players and an ever-loyal fanbase cheering her on, there’s hope that Osaka will bounce back stronger than ever in future competitions.

The WTA audience gets a heartwarming moment amidst the drama

Adding a touch of compassion to Osaka’s unfortunate situation was Coco Gauff, who demonstrated remarkable sportsmanship after Naomi Osaka’s mid-match retirement from the China Open. Gauff offered to help carry her injured opponent’s bags off the court.

The crowd applauded this heartwarming moment as Gauff ensured that Osaka was comfortable during her exit from the court. Gauff later expressed her wishes for Osaka’s speedy recovery, stating, “It was a good match up until this point. I wish Naomi a speedy recovery. No one wants to win a match like this. Especially at 1 set all. Overall I tried my best. It wasn’t my best tennis. It was one of those matches where you try your best each point.”

Fans hope Naomi Osaka quickly recovers and returns to the court soon. The upcoming tournaments will be crucial for her as she aims to regain momentum and confidence in her game. Do you think the Japanese star will make a dynamic comeback any time soon? Let us know in the comments below.