Despite attempting my greatest to push by it I wasn’t ready: Naomi Osaka retires with again ache at Toronto Open

Naomi Osaka retired whereas trailing to Kaia Kanepi 7-6(4), 3-0 within the US Open tune-up occasion. Osaka was taking part in her solely second match since her Achilles damage.

Naomi took a medical timeout throughout her match at Toronto Open. (AP Photo)

HIGHLIGHTSNaomi Osaka took a medical timeout throughout her match at Toronto OpenOsaka was taking part in her solely second match since her Achilles damageOsaka was trailing in second sport earlier than deciding to tug out of match

Former world primary Naomi Osaka retired with decrease again ache from her opening match on the Toronto Open.

The four-time Grand Slam champion, who was taking part in her solely second match after recovering from a left Achilles damage, retired whereas trailing to Estonia’s Kaia Kanepi 7-6(4), 3-0 within the US Open tune-up occasion.

“I felt my back from the start of the match, and despite trying my best to push through it I just wasn’t able to today,” mentioned Osaka. “I’d like to pay credit to Kaia for playing well and want to wish her all the best for the rest of the tournament.”

The 24-year-old Osaka took a medical timeout whereas trailing 3-4 within the first set. She regarded a bit of higher and went onto break Kanepi twice when she was serving for the opening sport to power the tiebreaker.

Osaka then hung out with the coach in the course of the changeover between units however rapidly fell behind within the second sport earlier than ending the match.

“It’s very tough to see that she has to retire this way,” Kanepi mentioned in the course of the on-court interview. The Estonian will face Spain’s Garbine Muguruza within the second spherical.

Earlier this month, Osaka introduced her father again in a training position after ending her working relationship with coach Wim Fissette, who helped the Japanese participant win the 2020 US Open and the 2021 Australian Open. Her father Leonard Francois beforehand served as her coach till 2018.

Osaka was Fissette’s high-profile cost. The coach from Belgium had beforehand labored with Kim Clijsters, Victoria Azarenka, Simon Halep and Angelique Kerber, amongst others. Osaka highlighted that she and Fissette parted on good phrases and mentioned that she wanted some recent power.

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