Achilles tendon problems: Naomi Osaka will not start in Rome
Naomi Osaka (Japan) will not start at the clay court tournament in Rome two weeks before the French Open.
by SID
last edit: May 10, 2022, 07:25 am
The winner of four Grand Slam tournaments and former number one in the world called her withdrawal on Monday a precautionary measure so as not to endanger the start in Roland Garros (from May 22) with her Achilles tendon problems.
Osaka (24) had recently shown an increasing form, at the tournament in Miami she reached the final and lost to world number one Iga Swiatek (Poland). "The injury I suffered in Madrid last week has not healed yet," Osaka said without giving any details.
Last year, Osaka caused a stir when she refused to attend the mandatory press conferences at the French Open out of concern for her mental health. Since then, she has spoken openly about her depression and has become a major voice in the fight for mental health.