Naomi Osaka has pulled out of the Japan Open before her quarter-final match on Friday because of a leg injury she got in the second round.
The former world number one was in pain during her last match on Wednesday, where she beat defending champion Suzan Lamens in three sets. She was seen close to tears and needed painkillers to finish the match. Her left thigh was strapped.
Osaka, the top seed, was supposed to play against Jaqueline Cristian in the quarter-finals. But now, Cristian will go straight to the semi-finals.
The Japan Open shared the news on X (formerly Twitter), saying: “We are sorry to announce that Naomi Osaka has not recovered from a left leg injury from the second round and has withdrawn from today’s quarter-final.”
It is still unclear if Osaka will play in the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo later this month.
The four-time Grand Slam winner is one of several big-name players dealing with injuries or health problems late in the season.
In September, Iga Swiatek said the tennis season is “too long and too intense” after several players got injured during the China Open.
British number one Emma Raducanu ended her season on Thursday after retiring from her last two matches because of illness.
Other players like Daria Kasatkina (Australia), Elina Svitolina (Ukraine), and Paula Badosa (Spain) have also ended their seasons early, either due to injury or needing a break.
Last week alone, five players had to retire with injuries across two tournaments in China.