'Not able to play': Naomi Osaka's sad announcement after US Open

Naomi Osaka has made the sad decision to withdraw from the French Open, citing a sore hamstring.

The newly crowned US Open champion made the announcement on social media on Friday, saying there wasn’t enough time to recover between events.

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“Unfortunately, I won’t be able to play the French Open this year,” the World No.3 wrote on social media.

“My hamstring is still sore so I won't have time to prepare for the clay - these two tournaments came too close to each other for me this time.

“I wish the organisers and players all the best.”

The COVID-19 pandemic forced French Open officials to reschedule their slam from its usual slot in May-June.

The 22-year-old had her left hamstring wrapped in tape when she battled back to defeat Victoria Azarenka in the US Open final at Flushing Meadows last week.

It was her second US Open title and third grand slam.

Osaka joins Australia's World No.1 Ashleigh Barty in opting out of the Paris claycourt major starting on September 27.

Barty announced earlier this month that she would not defend her Roland Garros crown amid ongoing coronavirus concerns.

Fans were left devastated and took to social media to wish Osaka all the best.

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Osaka had climbed six spots to third in the latest WTA rankings released on Monday, while Azarenka's career revival gathered traction as the Flushing Meadows finalist returned to the top-15.

Barty and Simona Halep of Romania continue to occupy the top two spots in the rankings respectively, despite opting against travelling to the New York grand slam.

Osaka was the only player in the top-10 to gain places, however her absence from the French Open is set to hamper her climb.

She also reached the final of the Western & Southern Open, which was held at Flushing Meadows this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but had to withdraw against Azarenka due to an injury.

Azarenka, also a former World No.1, arrived in New York having not won a match this year and ranked 59.

But the two-time Australian Open champion went on to win the US Open warmup event and capped her spectacular comeback by reaching her first grand slam final in seven years.

with agencies