Back pain ends tearful Osaka’s Toronto opener
Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka retired from her opening match on Tuesday at the WTA Toronto Masters with lower back pain, raising injury concerns with the US Open looming.
Estonia’s Kaia Kanepi advanced when Osaka retired trailing 7-6 (4), 3-0. Kanepi, a runner-up last week in Washington, needed 71 minutes on court as she broke three times before the Japanese star called it quits.
Defeat drove the emotional Osaka to tears.
“I felt my back from the start of the match and despite trying to push through it, I just wasn’t able to today,” Osaka said. “I’d like to pay credit to Kaia for playing well and want to wish her all the best for the rest of the tournament.”