Osaka was scheduled to play back-to-back tournaments in her home country, but she also pulled out of the ongoing Japan Championships in Osaka with the same physical problem.

Having an injury so late in the season and at a time of the year that is important for Osaka is undoubtedly frustrating and compounds what has been a mixed return to the sport.

Osaka made her comeback to professional tennis at the start of the year after being away on maternity leave in 2023. There have been some encouraging signs throughout 2024 for the 27-year-old.

Since returning, she has defeated players such as Ons Jabeur, Marta Kostyuk, Liudmila Samsonova, Jelena Ostapenko, and Caroline Garcia, proving how good her powerful brand of tennis remains at its best.

Osaka’s best performance of 2024 was undoubtedly against Iga Swiatek at the French Open. The Japanese star produced an extraordinary level to overwhelm the four-time champion at Roland-Garros for most of the match.

A stunning upset was on the cards when she held a match point, but Osaka could not take the opportunity. From there, Swiatek fought back against the odds and sealed an incredible 7-6, 1-6, 7-5 triumph.

Osaka would undoubtedly challenge for the biggest titles again if she played near that level regularly, but the four-time Grand Slam winner has been inconsistent throughout the season, struggling to put consecutive good performances together.

Since returning, she has defeated players such as Ons Jabeur, Marta Kostyuk, Liudmila Samsonova, Jelena Ostapenko, and Caroline Garcia, proving how good her powerful brand of tennis remains at its best.

Osaka’s best performance of 2024 was undoubtedly against Iga Swiatek at the French Open. The Japanese star produced an extraordinary level to overwhelm the four-time champion at Roland-Garros for most of the match.

A stunning upset was on the cards when she held a match point, but Osaka could not take the opportunity. From there, Swiatek fought back against the odds and sealed an incredible 7-6, 1-6, 7-5 triumph.

Osaka would undoubtedly challenge for the biggest titles again if she played near that level regularly, but the four-time Grand Slam winner has been inconsistent throughout the season, struggling to put consecutive good performances together.