WASHINGTON, September 18, 2020 (by Michael Dickens)
US Open champion Naomi Osaka will miss this month’s French Open, citing a sore hamstring and the short preparation time for clay following her third Grand Slam title last Saturday.
Osaka, 22, wrote on her social media platforms Thursday evening:
”My hamstring is still sore so I won’t have enough time to prepare for the clay – these 2 tournaments came too close to each other for me this time. I wish the organizers and players all the best.”
Osaka, who competed throughout the US Open fortnight with her left hamstring wrapped, withdrew from the Western & Southern Open final last month due to a hamstring injury. The current World No. 3 becomes the second Top 10 player who will miss competing at Roland Garros this year, joining World No. 1 and reigning French Open champion Ashleigh Barty.
Barty, who pulled out of Roland Garros earlier this month, cited border restrictions in Australia which have made it impossible for her to train with her coach, Craig Tyzzer, and concern for the spike in COVID-19 cases in France as reasons for not coming to Paris to defend her French Open title.
The three-time Grand Slam champion Osaka thanked her fans “for all the support over the last 3 weeks. I couldn’t have done it without you!” She ended her message by saying “Miss you guys but you’ll see me sooner than later! Love Naomi.”
— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) September 18, 2020
