Naomi Osaka to skip French Open because of lingering injury

Naomi Osaka will not participate in the French Open while recovering from hamstring soreness.

Naomi Osaka is coming off her second US Open triumph, but she won’t be able to challenge for a first-ever French Open title.

“Unfortunately I won’t be able to play the French Open this year. My hamstring is still sore so I won’t have enough time to prepare for the clay — these 2 tournaments came too close to each other for me this time,” Osaka posted on social media. “I wish the organizers and players all the best.

“Miss you guys but you’ll see me sooner than later!”

Naomi Osaka is coming off a US Open win

The young tennis star continues to deal with a hamstring problem which forced her to withdraw from the Western & Southern Open final in late August and worried her during her US Open run.

Despite the nagging injury, Osaka was able to fight through in New York. Victoria Azarenka, who won the Western & Southern Open because of Osaka’s withdrawal, was her opponent again on Sept. 12.

Osaka lost the first set, 1-6, but came back to win the final two, 6-3 and 6-3. In doing so, she collected her third grand slam title and affirmed her place as one of the sports brightest young stars.

When the French Open begins on Sept. 27, there will be no thrilling comebacks or social justice statements from Osaka. She’ll have to save those for another tournament.

Osaka isn’t the only contender who won’t be participating in this year’s French Open. Last year’s winner Ash Barty will not be on hand to defender her title because of COVID-19 travel concerns. The Australian also sat out the US Open.

Perhaps this is Serena Williams’ chance to pick up her first grand slam title since 2017. She confirmed she plans to go to Paris for the event after losing in the semi-final of the US Open to Azarenka. Even those plans may not be set in stone though. Williams recently withdrew from the Italian Open because of an Achilles strain.