In just her third match since May’s French Open tournament, Naomi Osaka retired early with a lower back injury.
The former World No. 1 was down 7–6(4), 3–0 to Kaia Kanepi at the National Bank Open on Tuesday night. Kanepi will move on to the Round of 32 following Osaka’s withdrawal.
“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,” Osaka told the media after the match. “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.