Naomi Osaka has continued her frustrating season as she battles yet another injury ahead of the Pacific Open.
She withdrew from the Japan Open after Osaka was forced to retire from the China Open during her meeting with Coco Gauff.
Gauff told Osaka to be proud despite her China Open exit, with the latter having retired from their round of 16 meeting with a back injury.
Osaka had won the first set in Beijing earlier this month, with the American then winning the second before the walkover was confirmed.
Gauff did, of course, go on to lift the trophy, with Osaka currently doing her utmost to recover from the injury.
Naomi Osaka provides fresh injury update after China Open retirement
The four-time Grand Slam champion has now offered an update on her issue, having been asked by a fan on her Instagram story for an injury/tournament update.
Osaka replied: “It was worse than I thought (I just have a high pain tolerance lol) and I’m trying my best to potentially play Tokyo but I’m still waiting to see what the doctor says.”
Naomi Osaka off to strong start under Patrick Mouratoglou
Osaka is clearly doing all she can to give the Asian swing a good go, with the 26-year-old now eyeing a run at the Toray Pan Pacific Open Tennis.
The tournament gets going in Tokyo next week, with the likes of the Japan Open and Ningbo Open currently underway.
Osaka has been dealing with injury amid a major change to her team, having recently linked up with coach Patrick Mouratoglou.
READ MORE: Patrick Mouratoglou explains what he learned during his first tournament coaching Naomi Osaka
And they should be excited about that partnership going forward after the player’s exploits at the China Open.
Prior to her disappointing withdrawal against Gauff, Osaka made it through the rounds, one of which involved a win over 21st seed Yulia Putintseva.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
