Naomi Osaka’s comeback 2024 season has ended earlier than expected due to a back injury. The former world No. 1 and four-time Grand Slam champion’s abrupt end to her comeback year after maternity leave was announced Monday by the official social media channels of the WTA 250 Hong Kong Tennis Open, where Osaka had been expected to play.
The event begins on Oct. 28.
“I’m really sorry that I have had to withdraw from competing at the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open and the rest of this tennis season,” Osaka said in a statement shared by the tournament. Osaka last played a match on Oct. 1, when she retired after splitting sets with eventual champion Coco Gauff in the fourth round of the China Open.
The 27-year-old is the latest high-profile player to end her season early, joining Caroline Garcia, Ons Jabeur and Elina Svitolina, among others. She also withdrew from this week’s Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo, which she won in 2019 and reached the final in two other appearances.
