Naomi Osaka is one of the most high-profile female players in tennis right now – but she won’t be featuring at Wimbledon in 2022.
The Japanese star won back-to-back Grand Slam titles in 2018 and 2019 to establish herself as one of the hottest prospects on tour. She jumped to world ranking number one in 2019, an accolade she would hold for 25 weeks.
Further success would follow. Osaka captured the US Open title in 2020, before claiming the Australian Open in 2021.
The 24-year-old, however, has endured some difficult times in tennis over the past year. She publicly announced that she was suffering from depression. In addition, Osaka pulled out of the 2021 French Open, citing mental health issues. Earlier, she stated she would not be completing any media assignments during the tournament.
Osaka then missed last year’s Wimbledon, before returning for the Tokyo Olympics. She subsequently took a two-month hiatus from the game after her US Open defeat to eventual finalist Leylah Fernandez in September.
In 2022, she reached round three in the Australian Open, but has struggled with injury. She suffered a right ankle problem in May, before being knocked out of the French Open in the first round.
But why will Naomi Osaka not be playing at Wimbledon in 2022?
Why Naomi Osaka isn’t playing Wimbledon 2022
Naomi Osaka suffered from an Achilles tendon problem during her French Open first round defeat. It is an injury that has not subsided going into Wimbledon, which has forced her to withdraw.
Posting on her official Twitter account, Osaka wrote: “My Achilles still isn’t right, so I’ll see you next time.
“After the storm comes the calm. This is a saying that I’m actively trying to master. I feel like life keeps dealing cards, and you’re never gonna be used to them, but it’s about how you adapt to uncomfortable situations that really says stuff about your character.
“I’ve been repeating mantras in my head a lot recently. I don’t know if it’s to subconsciously help myself through stressful times, or to ease my mind into realising that everything will work out fine as long as I put the work in. Cause what more can you do?”
Featured Image Credit: Getty
