SHENZHEN, China – Two-time Grand Slam titleholder Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from the season-ending WTA Finals because of a shoulder problem, the second consecutive year year she has been forced out due to injury, Agence France Presse (AFP) reported.
Osaka, who retired during last year’s edition of the lucrative year-ender with a hamstring injury, had been due to play world No. 1 Ashleigh Barty, said the AFP report, which was only carried by Rappler news portal.
“I’m disappointed to have to withdraw from the Finals,” the report quoted Osaka as saying. “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,” she added.
Osaka had started the $14 million round-robin tournament with a tough three-set victory over Petra Kvitova to extend her winning streak to 11 matches after titles in Beijing and Osaka.
