Indefinite Break Continues! Naomi Osaka Announces Unfortunate News Ahead of Indian Wells Masters

Four time Grand Slam champion, Naomi Osaka has confirmed that she won’t be participating in the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. The Japanese star has had a difficult year, as she’s been struggling with mental health issues. After her loss in the third round of the US Open, she announced that she will be taking a break from tennis.

Naomi Osaka pulls out of Indian Wells

Naomi Osaka has officially extended her break post US Open 2021. The 2018 Indian Wells champion has taken an indefinite break from professional tennis and has not yet announced a return date. The Japanese was recently knocked off of the WTA’s top five rankings. She is presently rated 8th in the world.

Osaka has always been an advocate for mental health concerns, and has struggled with her mental health throughout the 2021 season. The BNP Paribas Open twitter account shared a picture of Osaka with a lovely caption. The tournament was rescheduled and will now take off from 4th October till the 17th of October.

Osaka at US Open 2021

Nomi comfortably overcame Marie Bouzkova in the first round of the US Open. In the next round, she luckily received a walkover as Danilovic was suffering from an injury. The Canadian prodigy Leylah Fernandez crushed the former world number one in the third round of US Open. Despite being one set up, Osaka couldn’t continue her lead and tumbled in three sets.

In the post match interview she said, “I think I’m going to take a break from playing for a while. How do I go around saying this? I feel like for me recently when I win I don’t feel happy. I feel more like a relief. And then when I lose, I feel very sad. I don’t think that’s normal. I didn’t really want to cry.” 

Hopefully, the Japanese star herself feels like herself again on the tennis court and we get to see her on the tour as soon as possible.

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