Sep 4, 2025; Flushing, NY, USA; Naomi Osaka (JPN) plays against Amanda Anisimova (USA) (not pictured) on day twelve of the 2025 U.S. Open tennis tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

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Naomi Osaka Injury Update – Why Did Naomi Osaka Withdraw From the WTA Japan Open 2025 Quarterfinal?

World No. 16 was due to face Cristian in the QFs.

Former World No. 1 Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from the 2025 WTA Japan Women’s Open in Osaka. The home favorite was scheduled to compete against Jaqueline Cristian of Romania in Friday’s marquee clash, but pulled out before the encounter. As a result, Cristian advances to the semifinals – her third of the season – where she will face either Olga Danilovic or Tereza Valentova.

The top seed had made a strong start in the Japan Open. She opened her campaign with a statement win over fellow Japanese sensation Wakana Sonobe 6-0 6-4 in just over an hour. In Round-2, Osaka faced stiff opposition from World No. 57 Suzan Lamens. Despite facing some physical concerns, the four-time Grand Slam champion emerged victorious with a 7-6(6) 3-6 6-2 scoreline.

It has been a roller-coaster 2025 season for Naomi Osaka. After starting the campaign on a high note by reaching the final in Auckland, the 28-year-old went through a rough patch of form. She bounced back with a championship run at the WTA-125 in Saint-Malo, and also reached the final of the WTA-1000 in Montreal. Completing the American swing with a semifinal finish at the US Open 2025, Osaka currently has a 33-15 record this year.

What Happened to Naomi Osaka? Why Did She Withdraw From WTA Japan Open 2025?

Naomi Osaka withdrew from the 2025 WTA Japan Open due to a left thigh injury. The concern arose during her second round match-up against Lamens of Netherlands, which she eventually won in three sets.

“Naomi Osaka has not recovered from a left leg injury sustained during the second round of this tournament and has withdrawn from the quarterfinals scheduled for today,” read the official statement from the tournament’s social media account. Earlier, Osaka remained optimistic about potentially continuing in the competition. However, it was not meant to be.

Top seed Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from her home tournament with an injury. 🚨

Hope to see the 4x slam champ back on court soon. ❤️‍🩹#JapanOpen pic.twitter.com/sWdgRAZgCQ
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) October 17, 2025

The Japanese veteran had split the first two sets with Lamens on Wednesday. She dominated the third set and led 5-0, as the Dutchwoman had no answers to Osaka’s ruthless groundstrokes. With Lamens serving at 0-5 and 30-15, Osaka pulled up with an injury concern – eventually taking a medical timeout and returning with her left thigh being heavily taped up.

Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from the WTA event in Osaka due to a leg injury she sustained in her last match.

Jaqueline Cristian advances to the semifinals.

Wishing Naomi a quick recovery… she’s been playing some great tennis again lately.

🇯🇵❤️‍🩹 pic.twitter.com/c7MTiLl19Y
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) October 17, 2025

Naomi Osaka’s next scheduled tournament is the 2025 Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo. However, the recovery will determine her participation in the event. Osaka will retain her World No. 16 position when the new rankings are released on Monday.

(Image Credits: Robert Deutsch, Imagn Images)

Japan Open 2025

Jaqueline Cristian

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Sankalp Harikrishnan

A passionate sports fan through and through, I am currently pursuing my MA in Global Sports Journalism. I specialise in tennis and football writing at The Playoffs News, and I have prior experience working at EssentiallySports and Sportskeeda. Born and raised in Bengaluru, India, sport was my safe space right from my childhood. After trying my hand at multiple sports and representing my educational institutions in cricket, badminton and table tennis, I found sports media to be my calling.