Naomi Osaka withdraws from 2022 Italian Open in Rome

Monday, 09 May 2022 at 15:15

Updated at Monday, 01 July 2024 at 20:59

byNurein Ahmed

Naomi Osaka will not compete at the 2022 Italian Open in Rome, having announced her withdrawal from the tournament because of injury.

The four-time Grand Slam champion was expected to start her adventure at the Foro Italico against Sara Sorribes Tormo in her opening match, the same woman who defeated her quite handily just over a week ago at the Madrid Open.

However, she is yet to recover from an ankle injury she sustained while playing Anastasia Potapova in the first round in the Spanish capital. Despite beating the Russian, Osaka was not fit to play her next match against Sorribes Tormo and was comfortably eliminated from the tournament 3-6, 1-6.

In a statement, the Japanese star revealed that she has not healed from the Achilles injury. She is taking precautions just before Roland Garros and doesn't want to risk missing out on competing at the clay-court major. She promised to return next year.

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"Unfortunately I’m going to have to withdraw from Rome as the injury which I picked up last week in Madrid hasn’t healed yet. It’s an Achilles injury so I need to be careful especially in advance of Roland Garros. I love this city and always enjoy playing in front of the Italian fans so I will be sorry to miss them – but look forward to coming back next year."

Osaka has been replaced in the main draw by lucky loser Nuria Parrizas Diaz, who will now face compatriot Sorribes Tormo in the first round. The WTA also confirmed that Denmark's Clara Tauson has also pulled out because of a back injury and was replaced by American Madison Brengle.

This is a setback for the former World No. 1 Osaka, who was looking to play just her sixth tournament of the season. She is still chasing her first WTA title of the year, having come close at Miami (losing to Iga Swiatek in the final).