Things aren’t going according to plan for Naomi Osaka. She was making a comeback in the hard-court season after missing the entire grass-court swing owing to an Achilles injury. However, in her first tournament on her comeback, she lost in the second round against Coco Gauff at the Silicon Valley Classic.

The four-time Grand Slam champion is currently in Toronto to participate in the National Bank Open. However, her campaign ended abruptly after she retired during her first-round match against Estonia’s Kaia Kanepi. After the match, the Japanese star opened up about her injury.

Naomi Osaka tried her best to continue

During the post-match interview after her first-round defeat in Toronto, Osaka revealed the details of her injury. She said, “I felt my back from the start of the match, and despite trying my best to push through it I just wasn’t able to today. 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.” 

Osaka was a set and 3-0 down at the time of her retirement. The first set was a topsy-turvy affair with both players applying pressure on their opponent’s serves. Eventually, the set proceeded into the tiebreaker where Kanepi won some crucial points to take the opening set 7-6(4).

Trending

Coco Gauff Finds Captivating Way Out of Italian Open Misery as She Dazzles in Striking Day Out With Her Mother Candi

May 19, 2024 06:03 PM EDT

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal Happy to Let Novak Djokovic Take the GOAT Crown After Heart-Felt Confession About Their Legacy

May 18, 2024 05:01 PM EDT

Roger Federer Turns Teary Eyed Over Wife Mirka Breaking 15-Year Long Silence for His Upcoming Documentary

May 15, 2024 05:45 AM EDT

Tennis Rumor: Paula Badosa’s Shock Reunion With Stefanos Tstisipas Days After Break-Up Will Surely Surprise Fans

May 18, 2024 06:13 PM EDT

‘Coco Won More Games’ – Aryna Sabalenka’s Misery Worsens as Gauff’s Fans Nitpick Her Faults Against Iga Swiatek at the Italian Open

May 18, 2024 08:39 PM EDT

Get instantly notified of the hottest Tennis stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

READ MORE: Naomi Osaka on Cloud Nine as She Watches Her Idol Serena Williams’ Match at Toronto’s National Bank Open 2022

Further, Kanepi carried the momentum into the second set, breaking Osaka’s serve early. Eventually, when her opponent took a 3-0 lead in the second set, Osaka decided to retire to prevent the aggravation of her injury.

Osaka’s US Open participation in limbo

The former World Number 1 has faced another untimely injury setback just weeks ahead of the US Open. The last Grand Slam tournament of the season begins on August 29. Osaka had already missed the Wimbledon Championships this year owing to an Achilles injury. She will remain a doubtful starter for the Western and Southern Open in Cincinnati and the US Open.

Watch This Story: When Brittney Griner cited Serena Williams’ examples to prove a point on the state of Women’s basketball

Meanwhile, Kanepi will take on Garbine Muguruza in the second round. The Estonian is in good form, having reached the Citi Open final last week.