Recently-crowned US Open champion Naomi Osaka on Sunday withdrew from the ongoing Wuhan Open due to a viral illness.
The announcement came right after Osaka slumped to a 6-4, 6-4 loss against Karolina Pliskova in the finals of the Toray Pan-Pacific Open. Meanwhile, former world number one Victoria Azarenka also pulled out of the tournament due to a viral illness.
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Taking it to Twitter, Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) made the announcement saying, “@Naomi_Osaka_ and @vika7 have withdrawn from @wuhanopentennis due to illness.”
.@Naomi_Osaka_ and @vika7 have withdrawn from @wuhanopentennis due to illness –> https://t.co/vaD3PwXIAq pic.twitter.com/sBuuXrEMIA
— WTA (@WTA) September 23, 2018
“I’m very sorry to have to withdraw from Wuhan. I look forward to playing in Wuhan next year,” WTA official website quoted Osaka, as saying.
Expressing disappointment over Osaka’s withdrawal, tournament director Fabrice Chouquet said that they are sorry for not having the world number seven in the tournament.
“Naomi has had an amazing few weeks and we’re very sorry not to see her here in Wuhan. Of course, we wish her a quick recovery from her illness.”