Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from Wimbledon with an Achilles injury.
Japan’s Osaka has not played since the French Open and recently posted a video of herself doing rehab on a treadmill.
The 24-year-old previously said she was “unsure” if she would play Wimbledon because of its lack of ranking points.
The ATP and WTA stripped the points from Wimbledon after the tournament banned Russian and Belarusian players over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Osaka’s name appeared on the singles entry list for Wimbledon when it was released last week, but she has not appeared in any of the grass-court events.
Posting on her Instagram account, Osaka said she was “trying to find the positives in a negative situation”.
“I feel like life keeps dealing cards and you’re never going to be used to them but it’s how you adapt to uncomfortable situations that really says stuff about your character,” she said.
“Everyday before I go to sleep I think of all the people I love and how grateful I am to have them in my life. I honestly just wish the best for them and I hope that my existence brings them as much joy as they do me.”
The world number 43 has slipped down the rankings after taking several breaks from the sport last year to protect her mental health.
Osaka won the US Open in 2018 and 2020 and the Australian Open in 2019 and 2021, but has never gone beyond the third round at Wimbledon.
(BBC)