US Open champion Naomi Osaka announced on Thursday her decision to withdraw from the French Open beginning later this month due to a hamstring injury. The Roland Garros event will be held from September 27-October 11 after being moved from May due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Taking to social media, the 22-year-old thanked her fans for their support and said that they will see her “sooner than later”.
“Hey guys, first and foremost thank so much for all the support over the last 3 weeks. I couldn’t have done it without you!,” she wrote in the post.
“Unfortunately I won’t be able to play the French Open this year. My hamstring is still sore so I won’t have time to prepare for the clay – these two tournaments came too close to each other for me this time. I wish the organizers and players all the best.
“Miss you guys but you’ll see me sooner than later! Love Naomi,” she concluded the note, which is also posted in Japanese.
— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) September 18, 2020
The Japanese player had her left hamstring taped during her US Open final against Victoria Azarenka at Flushing Meadow. Osaka defeated the Belarusian player 1-6, 6-3, 6-3 to win her third grand slam title.
The former world number one was on top of her game during the US Open, but it was also her activism on court that made her win at Flushing Meadows even sweeter. Osaka wore a different mask with the names of Black people who were victims of racial injustice in the US before each match.
When asked in an on-court interview after the US Open final about the message she was sending with the masks, Osaka’s reply was powerful enough to understand that she is committed to social justice causes despite many telling her to “stick to tennis”.
“Well, what was the message that you got? That was more the question,” she answered.
In light of Osaka’s latest announcement, and the absence of world number Ashleigh Barty, the French Open women’s singles event is wide open with many including 23-time grand slam champion Serena Williams vying for a chance to reign on clay.
The French Tennis Federation (FFT) has also said that it would allow 5,000 spectators per day down from 11,500 that was announced earlier.
(With inputs)
