Bad news from Naomi Osaka that out of the blue she announced her retirement from the WTA Finals in Shenzhen.
The Japanese sensation was on an 11 match winning-streak to be considered as the favorite to win the Finals especially after playing great tennis against Petra Kvitova in the first round.
Just few hours before facing Ashleigh Barty in her 2nd match, the Japanese announced the retirement. Naomi released the following statement:
“I’m disappointed to have to withdraw from the Finals. It has been a great event in Shenzhen, and it’s the biggest WTA event of the year. This is not how I wanted to end this tournament or my season. I look forward to getting healthy and hope to be back here in Shenzhen next year.”
Talking to the journalists, Naomi revealed:
“I didn’t serve for a while when I was in Japan. I just started serving, like, the last two days. Felt better, came here, then I played my match. I felt it immediately. When I woke up the day after, it was throbbing and stuff. Yeah, didn’t serve at all yesterday.”
Naomi will be replaced by Kiki Bertens that will immediately face Ashleigh Barty.
Osaka in Shenzhen, ranking, and results in 2019
Ranked no.3, Naomi has a 40-11 win-loss record in 2019. Osaka is currently competing in Shenzhen where she ousted Petra Kvitova 7-61 4-6 6-4.
Naomi Osaka |
| Embed from Getty Images |
