Japan’s Naomi Osaka reacts after beating Netherlands’ Suzan Lamens in their women’s singles match at the Japan Open tennis tournament in Osaka on October 15, 2025. (Photo by PAUL MILLER / AFP) (Photo by PAUL MILLER/AFP via Getty Images)
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Former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka pulled out of Friday’s quarterfinals at the Japan Open due to a left thigh injury sustained in her previous match.
Four-time Grand Slam champion Osaka, the top seed at the WTA 250 event, picked up the injury during Wednesday’s 7-6(6), 3-6, 6-2 second-round victory over defending champion Suzan Lamens.
Osaka was due to face Romania’s Jaqueline Cristian in the quarterfinals, but tournament organizers announced her withdrawal before the fixture.
“Naomi Osaka has not recovered from a left leg injury sustained during the second round of this tournament and has withdrawn from the quarterfinals scheduled for today,” the post read.
Osaka’s withdrawal resulted in Cristian advancing to the semifinals via walkover and she will face the winner of the Tereza Valentova vs. Olga Danilovic quarterfinal.
The other semifinal will feature Canadian fourth seed Leylah Fernandez and another Romanian, Sorana Cirstea.
Naomi Osaka’s Injury
Osaka pulled up with an apparent issue with her left leg when she was leading 7-6 (6), 3-6, 5-0 against Dutchwoman Lamens.
She requested a medical timeout soon after and returned to the court with her left thigh wrapped. Holding back tears, Osaka battled for a victory, despite visible limitations in her movement.
However, she raised concerns about the injury post-match, saying only painkillers had helped her get through the match.
Osaka’s withdrawal meant the 28-year-old exited her first WTA tournament appearance in Japan since 2022. It also left No. 4 seed Fernandez as the highest-ranked player remaining in the draw.
Osaka, who is ranked 16 in the current WTA rankings, lost in the second round of the Wuhan Open last week and at the same round in the China Open last month. She is scheduled to play in the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo next week, though the injury puts her participation under doubt.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/manasipathak-1/2025/10/17/naomi-osaka-pulls-out-of-japan-open-quarterfinals-with-thigh-injury/
