Naomi Osaka Withdraws from Pan Pacific Open Due to Back Injury
Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka of Japan has withdrawn from next week’s Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo due to a lingering back injury. The former world number one has been sidelined since retiring from her last-16 match at the China Open against eventual champion Coco Gauff earlier this month.
Osaka’s withdrawal from the Pan Pacific Open marks the latest setback in her injury-plagued season. She has struggled for consistency since returning to tennis in January after the birth of her daughter Shai in July 2023. Her best results since becoming a parent have been two quarter-final appearances.
The 27-year-old was set to compete at the Pan Pacific Open as a wild card, but organizers confirmed her absence due to a lower back injury. Osaka’s appearance at the China Open was her first tournament under Patrick Mouratoglou, the Frenchman best known for being the long-time former coach of Serena Williams.
China’s Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen, ranked number seven in the world, is now the top-ranked player at the Pan Pacific Open. Russia’s Daria Kasatkina and Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia are also set to compete.
Osaka’s withdrawal is a blow to the tournament organizers, who were hoping to attract a strong field for the first edition of the Pan Pacific Open since 2019. The tournament was canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite her recent struggles, Osaka remains one of the most popular and marketable players in tennis. She has won four Grand Slam titles, including the US Open twice, and has been ranked number one in the world. Her off-court ventures, including her own clothing line and skincare brand, have also made her a global icon.