Naomi Osaka, former world number one tennis player, withdrew from Wimbledon on Saturday for the second consecutive year and blamed an Achilles injury.
“My Achilles is still not right, so I’ll see you next time,” the four-time Grand Slam title winner posted on Twitter.
Osaka (24) has already considered not playing over the ATP and WTA tour decision to deprive Wimbledon of ranking points after the All England Club banned Russian and Belarusian players in response to the invasion of Ukraine.
Osaka’s tweet, although not specifically mentioned at Wimbledon, was accompanied by a photo of herself on a grass court, and an emoji of a blade of grass.
“I wish you a speedy return to full fitness, @naomiosaka,” the Wimbledon tournament tweeted in response.
The Japanese player first contracted the Achilles problem in her opening match in Madrid in May, the injury that forced her to withdraw from the next Italian Open.
She posted a video of a workout on social media this month, accompanied by the caption: “Here I am running on an underwater treadmill because my Achilles is still stubborn, I need to get old or something.”
Osaka’s name appeared on the singles entry list for Wimbledon when it was released last week, but she did not appear in any of the grass court warm-up events.
Osaka, who has never advanced beyond the third round at the All England Club, has raised the possibility of missing the Grand Slam turf after her first-round loss at last month’s French Open.
“I tend more not to play given the current circumstances. I’m the type of player who is motivated by seeing my rankings rise,” she said.
“I feel if I play Wimbledon without points, it’s more like an exhibition,” she continued. “The intent of this measure was good, but the implementation is everywhere.”
Twelve months ago, Osaka skipped Wimbledon after leaving the French Open in succession over her refusal to attend mandatory news conferences.
Osaka’s withdrawal follows that of former Wimbledon finalist Eugenie Bouchard who withdrew from the season’s third Grand Slam on Friday.
The Canadian said the lack of points on the world rankings did not match her plans to manage her return to injury.
Both players’ names were absent from an updated player list.
Osaka, now 43 in the world rankings, advanced twice to the third round at Wimbledon, in 2017 and 2018, with her last appearance at the tournament in 2019.
Wimbledon, which kicks off on June 27, will see the return of 23-time major winner Serena Williams, who has not played at all since an injury withdrawal at the All England Club last year.
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