The Prudential Hong Kong Open is not having much luck when it comes to getting two of tennis’ biggest stars onto the court at Victoria Park, with Emma Raducanu withdrawing and Naomi Osaka breaking down injured, both for the second year running.
Raducanu decided on Thursday to shut her season down early after medical issues plagued her time in China during the WTA’s Asian swing, and less than 12 hours later, Osaka pulled out of her quarter-final at the Japan Open because of a left leg injury.
If that all sounds eerily familiar, it’s because almost exactly the same thing happened 12 months ago, but with roles reversed. Then Osaka, who also missed the 2018 tournament with a bad back, was the first to withdraw with ruptured abdominal muscles, and Raducanu announced she had failed to recover from a foot injury.
On Friday, tournament organisers said Osaka had not recovered from an injury sustained late in her second-round win over 2024 champion Suzan Lamens.
After splitting the first two sets with Lamens, Osaka took a 5-0 lead in the third. But during a rally with Lamens serving at 0-5 and 30-15, Osaka pulled up with an apparent issue with her left leg. She won the point after Lamens sent a backhand wide but requested a medical timeout after the next point.
Emma Raducanu leaves the court after retiring from her match against Ann Li at the Wuhan Open. Photo: AFP
Osaka, a four-time major winner, returned to the court with her left thigh wrapped and limitations in her movement but was able to close out on her third match point.
AloJapan.com