Osaka pulls out of Hong Kong Open due to injury

Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka has announced her withdraw from the Hong Kong Open tennis championships due to injury, organizers said here on Monday, reported Xinhua.

The Hong Kong, China Tennis Association (HKCTA) said in a statement that the former world No. 1 will have to put an end to her tennis season in 2024.

"However, Naomi has confirmed she will still be attending the tournament and will be participating in a range of activities during the event, including meeting with her Hong Kong tennis fans," HKCTA said.

"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," Naomi was quoted as saying.

"I love visiting the tournament and despite the obvious disappointment of not being able to play, I want to reassure all my wonderful Hong Kong fans that I will still be attending the event. I am very much looking forward to meeting you all."

Osaka, who won the Australian Open in 2019 and 2021 and the US Open in 2018 and 2020, is the first Japanese player to win a Grand Slam and the first player from Asia to hold the singles' top ranking, claiming No. 1 spot in January 2019, which she held for 21 weeks.

The WTA 250 tournament, slated for Oct. 27-Nov. 3, will feature stars like Russia's Diana Shnaider and Anastasia Potapova, defending champion Leylah Fernandez of Canada, two-time Grand Slam champion and former world No. 1 Simona Halep of Romania and Britain's highest-ranked player Katie Boulter.

China's Paris Olympic mixed doubles silver medalist Wang Xinyu, and rising stars Yuan Yue and Wang Xiyu will also feature in the field.