World No.1 Naomi Osaka faces a race against time to be fit for the US Open after being forced to retire from her quarter-final match in Cincinnati on Friday.
The two-time champion was taking on Sofia Kenin when she pulled out of the match whilst trailing 0-2 in the final set due to a leg injury. Osaka won six out of eight games before deciding to pull out of the match after jamming her knee whilst serving. Immediately after hurting her knee, she underwent a medical time out and had taping placed on it. However, it was not enough to keep her playing.
“It sucks. Especially since I didn’t want to get injured this close to the Open. And now I’m kind of worried a little bit.” Osaka said following her match.
“She (Kenin) was playing well. I had to really think about what I had to do during the match, so I’m not that mad at the result.’
“The injured part sucks, but losing, it’s not that big of a deal.”
Stating that she usually has a ‘high pain tolerance’ Osaka is left on edge about what exactly her latest injury issue is. She entered her press conference at the Western and Southern Open limping and with an ice pack over her knee. Raising concerns in her camp.
The timing comes just over a week before the start of the US Open. Where the 21-year-old will be defending a grand slam title for the first time in her career. Despite the setback, Osaka has vowed to play at Flushing Meadows. Even if that means going against medical advice.
“I don’t even really think about winning the tournament. I just want to have the chance to play it.” She commented about the upcoming major.
“I feel like this might have that 1% chance of me not being able to play, and that’s what’s concerning me.’
“In the end, I’m going to play even if the doctor says no probably. But I don’t know.”
It is the first time Osaka has been forced to quit a match since the WTA Finals last October due to a left hamstring injury. Comparing that injury to her latest, the Japanese player described it as ‘something different.’
“I think they said I had a slight tear in my hamstring then. This is something different.” She explained.
“I don’t really know yet. I stopped kind of immediately after instead of pushing, so I’m hoping that that would affect how soon I can start playing again.”
The US Open will get underway on August 26th. Osaka will be bidding to become the fourth woman to defend the title since 2000. Following in the footsteps of both of the Williams sisters and Kim Cjisters.
