Naomi Osaka’s comeback season has been anything but smooth. Once hailed as one of the tennis world’s brightest stars, the 4-time Grand Slam champion is now facing her toughest opponent yet: her own body. After a promising start to the 2024 season, Osaka has been struggling to find her rhythm post-pregnancy. Her latest setback? A nagging back injury that’s got fans biting their nails as she awaits her fate for the upcoming Tokyo Open.
Osaka’s latest blow came after she was forced to withdraw mid-match against Coco Gauff in Beijing’s round of 16, where she started strong by taking the first set 6-3. But after Gauff leveled the match, the pain became too much to bear. In a recent Instagram Q&A, Osaka dropped a painful update: “It is worse than what I thought. I just have a high pain tolerance lol,” she said, hinting that the injury might be more serious than anyone suspected.
Despite her current struggle, Osaka hasn’t lost her sense of humor. She posted a “How it started vs. how it ended” meme on Instagram, contrasting her victorious court presence with a more sobering hospital photo. The post gave fans a bittersweet laugh, but it also underscores the uncertainty surrounding her Tokyo Open appearance, set to kick off on October 21.
The Tokyo tournament has been circled on Osaka’s calendar as a chance to reclaim her form on home turf. But whether she’ll be ready remains to be seen. She’s keeping a hopeful yet cautious outlook, sharing that she’ll only play if her doctor gives the green light: “I’m trying my best to potentially play Tokyo, but I’m still waiting to see what the doctor says,” she said.
Can Osaka overcome this latest challenge and re-establish herself among the tennis elite? Fans are divided. Some see her resilient spirit as a sign that she’ll pull through, while others worry this could be another long setback. With the Tokyo Open just days away, everyone is on the edge of their seats, waiting to see if Osaka can make her comeback dream a reality.
So, what do you think? Will Osaka make it in time for Tokyo, or is it time for her to prioritize recovery? Let us know in the comments!
