ZCZC
BSP-13
TENNIS-QAT-OSAKA-WTA
Osaka out of Qatar Open with back injury
DOHA, Feb 6, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – World Number one and two-time Grand Slam
winner Naomi Osaka has pulled out of next week’s Qatar Open because of a back
injury, tournament organisers said on Tuesday.
No more details were given about the injury but Osaka, 21, also withdrew
from the Hong Kong Open last October because of problems with her back.
“I am sorry to have withdraw from Doha this year as I was looking
forward to playing and seeing my fans there,” said Osaka, who won the
Australian Open last month, in the statement.
“I wish everyone a great week and hope to see everyone next year.”
Her withdrawal will come as a blow to organisers in Doha, who also
announced on Tuesday that her place as top seed in the Qatar Open will be
taken by the woman she recently replaced as world number one, Romania’s
Simona Halep.
Japanese Osaka is currently the US Open and Australian Open champion.
She beat Czech star Petra Kvitova — last year’s Qatar Open winner — in
three sets in Melbourne to claim her second Grand Slam after upsetting Serena
Williams at Flushing Meadows for her first one.
BSS/AFP/BZC/1830HRS