Naomi Osaka ‘really sorry’ after injury forces her to withdraw from Hong Kong Open
The 27-year-old has ruptured abdominal muscles, but says she will come to city to visit ‘her wonderful fans’
Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from this month’s Prudential Hong Kong Open less than a week after confirming she would play in the WTA 250 event.
Osaka had been expected to line up alongside Emma Raducanu and defending champion Leylah Fernandez at Hong Kong tournament, which takes place at Victoria Park Tennis Stadium between October 28th and November 3rd.
But on Monday, the 27-year-old, who told Japanese media she had ruptured abdominal muscles, said she was “really sorry” about having to pull out of the tournament and “the rest of the tennis season”, but added she would still visit the city.
“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,” Osaka said.
“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.”
Osaka’s injury forced her to retire from her last-16 match against eventual champion at the China Open last month, and she also pulled out of the Japan Open and this week’s Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo.
