Just when hopes to see Naomi Osaka return to action started to excite fans, she became a bearer of bad news. She sustained a back injury while contesting against Coco Gauff at the China Open, forcing her to concede mid-match. While chances for her maiden athletic finesse teaming up with Patrick Mouratoglou went south, fans expected to see more of the newfound partnership later this season. However, as surprises go, they’ll have to wait longer.

Just days ahead of her much-anticipated appearance at the Hong Kong Open, Osaka withdrew from her home event, citing unresolved injury concerns. Subsequently, the event’s official X handle aired the update – inculcating statements from the Japanese star and the Director of International Events in Hong Kong. This, in turn, puts a disheartening end to her run this season; meaning she will return to action starting in 2025.

Osaka said, “I’m sorry that I have had to withdraw from competing at the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open and the rest of this tennis season. I love visiting the tournament and despite the obvious disappointment of not being able to play, I want to reassure all my wonderful Hong Kong fans that I will still be attending the event. I am very much looking forward to meeting you all. There is a wonderful line-up of world-class players coming to the tournament and I want to wish them all the best of luck in this exciting event.”

For those unaware, Osaka parted ways with former coach Wim Fissete after enduring a early exit at the US Open. Surprisingly, Polish No. 1 Iga Swiatek joined forces with the Belgian coach, whereas the Japanese player added Frenchman Mouratoglou to her coaching team. Aiming to reverse her misfortunes and restore her dropped form, the 27-year-old voiced her faith in a new alliance with Serena Williams’ ex-coach.

Naomi Osaka wants no ‘regrets’ from her newfound partnership with Patrick Mouratoglou

Japanese superstar Naomi Osaka went through a turmoil of chances after returning from her pregnancy hiatus. While on the one hand she was hailed as yet another mother competing on the tour, on the other she was unable to script triumphant results. After lamenting on her situation long enough, Osaka finally joined forces with Serena Williams’ ex-coach Patrick Mouratoglou and wished for a fruitful outcome.

She said, “I think I’m at a stage in my life that I don’t want to have regrets. I’d rather pull the trigger on something and I don’t want to say ‘fail’, but I feel like I need to learn as much as possible in this stage of my career.” Later, Mouratoglou revealed that the Japanese sensation contacted his team way before fans even caught wind of their rumored alliance.

“She got in touch with me but she did already one year ago because she was looking for a coach. I was with Holger (Rune) at that time but I already had discussions with her so they reached out again and I’m very excited.”

After skipping the Hong Kong Open, Osaka will likely recover and revamp for the upcoming season. Osaka did not qualify for the season-end WTA Finals and with no future commitments in sight, she will seemingly take to the court next at the Australian hard court swing.