Naomi Osaka pulls out of Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo due to illness on Thursday (November 12)
The defending champion withdrew from the women’s final of the Pan Pacific Open, which will be played in Tokyo on Thursday, due to an illness.
An official statement from the tournament on Thursday afternoon read:
“In light of the player’s ongoing medical evaluation, Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from the Pan Pacific Open, which will be played in Tokyo on Friday. The decision to withdraw is her own and was made in consultation with the Tournament Medical Director, Professor Masakazu Iida of the International University of Gifu,” the statement read.
The Osaka, who was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder last week, has not played since withdrawing from the Sony Open. She was originally supposed to return to competition on November 14 after her win at the Sony against Coco Vandeweghe, but she had to withdraw from the tournament due to illness.
The Osaka, who turns 18 on November 22, said goodbye to fans at the Osaka Tennis Center.
“I will definitely return to the top in tennis. Right now, I’m facing a tough challenge, but I’m confident that I’ll come back with a new smile. Thank you for your support,” the Osaka tweeted on Thursday afternoon.
In a tweet posted on Thursday, Osaka thanked fans for supporting her. “I’m really touched by your love and support. Thank you all very much,” she wrote.
Osaka, who was born in Kobe but lived in Tokyo for many years, said her health problems started when she was a child. She said she had “a little bit of problems” at first with food sensitivities. But it got worse as she got older.
“I realized I was not normal like others were. And I decided to play tennis again after having a bit of problems with my body, my health and with my body,” the Osaka said in her tweet.
Osaka was ranked No. 17 in the world when she reached the quarterfinals at