Naomi Osaka won’t play at Wimbledon
Naomi Osaka withdrew from Wimbledon on Saturday, citing an Achilles injury.
The four-time Grand Slam champion had been suffering through the ailment for months, though her name was on the singles entry list for Wimbledon after it was released last week. However, she was included on the list of withdrawals announced Saturday by the tournament.
“My Achilles still isn’t right so I’ll see you next time,” Osaka said on social media, confirmed her playing status.
Wimbledon is set to start June 27. Osaka, 24, has not played in a tournament since her first-round loss to Amanda Anisimova at the French Open last month.
“The intention of this measure was good, but the execution is all over the place,” Osaka said after the French Open. “I feel like if I play Wimbledon without points, it’s more like an exhibition. I know this isn’t true, right? But my brain just like feels that way.
“I would love to go, just to get some experience on the grass court, but at the same time I’m the type of player that gets motivated by seeing my ranking
go up.”
The two-time Australian Open and two-time US Open champion ascended to the No. 1 ranking after winning the 2019 Australian Open and held the top spot for 21 weeks that year. Osaka is currently ranked No. 43 on the WTA Tour. Osaka has never gotten past the third round at Wimbledon, making it that far
in 2017 and 2018. She didn’t play in last year’s tournament either, saying she wanted to spend time with family and friends following her stunning withdrawal from the 2021 French Open after being fined for not participating in a post-match news conference.
Osaka come back from her hiatus to play in the Toyko Olympics last year.