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Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka acknowledged she can't be taking risks with an Achilles injury and that's why she decided against playing in Rome. Osaka, a former world No. 1, sustained an Achilles injury in Madrid.
Osaka went to Rome after Madrid but decided to pull out of the tournament at the last moment. Osaka didn't want to risk aggravating her Achilles injury in Rome and potentially putting her French Open appearance in jeopardy.
This way, Osaka has given herself two more weeks to heal from an Achilles injury. “Unfortunately I’m going to have to withdraw from Rome as the injury which I picked up last week in Madrid hasn’t healed yet," Osaka said.
“It’s an Achilles injury so I need to be careful especially in advance of Roland Garros. “I love this city and always enjoy playing in front of the Italian fans so I will be sorry to miss them — but look forward to coming back next year”.
Osaka sustained an Achilles injury in Madrid
Osaka pretty easily won her Madrid opener but then suffered a shock defeat to Sara Sorribes Tormo. Osaka was far from her best during the Sorribes Tormo match as the Spaniard handed her a 6-3 6-1 loss.
After the match, Osaka revealed an Achilles issue was the reason for her bad outing. "Honestly, I have had it before, like maybe two years ago I think after Miami or something. But I can't imagine that it will be a huge problem unless something significant happens, but I think for right now, just learning how to move forward with everything," Osaka said after losing to Sorrribes Tormo.
Osaka plans to play the French Open, where she had a rough time last year. After winning her French Open first round match last year, Osaka opened up about her battle with depression and anxiety and pulled out of the rest of the event.
