Osaka withdraws from Pan Pacific Open as back injury persists

Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka has pulled out of the upcoming Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo due to a back injury.

The former world number one has been sidelined since her retirement from the China Open earlier this month, where she withdrew in the last-16 against eventual champion Coco Gauff.

The 27-year-old was slated to participate in the Pan Pacific Open as a wild card but withdrew after also pulling out of the Japan Open in Osaka. Organizers cited a lower back injury as the reason for her absence.

Osaka’s participation at the China Open was her first under new coach Patrick Mouratoglou, who famously coached Serena Williams.

Since returning to tennis in January after the birth of her daughter Shai in July 2023, Osaka has struggled to find her rhythm, with her best performances being two quarter-final appearances.

China’s Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen — ranked number seven in the world — is the top-ranked player at the Pan Pacific Open.

Russia’s Daria Kasatkina and Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia are also set to compete.