Naomi Osaka has enjoyed yet another really positive tournament, but her low ranking has seen her fall at a far earlier stage than deserved.
After all, as has so often been the case this season, the Japanese star has been forced to face a top seed early, with that frustrating inevitability commanding mixed success.
On this particular occasion in Beijing, it seemed like she might be able to take advantage of Coco Gauff‘s poor form, with that notion only emphasised further when she claimed the opening set.
However, losing the second saw her forced to retire, citing a back ailment as the American progressed.
She wasted no time in offering an update to her fans though.
Naomi Osaka sends message to fans after injury
Naturally, seeing Naomi Osaka leave the court early due to injury will have had plenty of tennis supporters fearing the worst.
After all, she has endured a turbulent 2024, seeking to return to the top which she so bravely sacrificed in order to have a child.
With that decision, there were bound to be plenty of risks involved, and a back injury was surely high on that list.
But, she would take to social media to swiftly dispel any fears of a serious setback, jovially writing: ‘Hi everyone just wanted to say that I’m extremely thankful and happy to have played in Beijing.
‘That being said I feel like I owe a little backstory about today- So I locked my back up during practice earlier and honestly wasn’t sure if I could even play but I just wanted to try.
‘Unfortunately things just got progressively worse during the match. Totally worth it though lol’.
Coco Gauff shared what she told Naomi Osaka after their match; unsurprisingly kind words.
Naomi Osaka was so close to beating Coco Gauff
The upbeat and relaxed tone of her message indicates that there is little to worry about regarding this retirement, but it’s sad that she was so close to such a huge scalp.
After all, conquering the American would have seen her face qualifier Yulia Starodubtsewa for a place in the semi-final of the WTA 1000-level event.
The fact that she was technically injured before the match even started makes her performance even more admirable, as she fought through pain to surge into an opening-set lead.
Converting five out of six break points, the world number 75 was clinical and cutthroat when the chances emerged.
Hopefully, should they face again in 2024, Osaka will be fitter, stronger and far higher ranked to ensure that she can convert such a high-level performance into a win.
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