Yahoo Sports Naomi Osaka withdraws from Wimbledon tuneup tournament in Berlin next week
Naomi Osaka will no longer compete in the Berlin WTA 5000 grass-court tournament after pulling out of the event that begins in one week, the tournament announced.
The move comes after Osaka pulled out of the French Open, citing her mental health, and puts her entrance into the Wimbledon Grand Slam tournament into doubt.
Osaka pulls out of next event
Osaka, currently ranked No. 2 in the world, pulled out of the Berlin WTA scheduled to begin June 14.
"We have received notification Naomi Osaka cannot start in Berlin. After consulting her management, she will take a break," Berlin event organizers said in a statement via Reuters.
The bett1open returns to the German capital for the first time since 2008. Ahead of Osaka's withdraw, 15 of the top 20 ranked women were set to compete in the tune-up to Wimbledon.
Wimbledon will return to the calendar on June 28 after canceling last year's tournament because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Tokyo Olympics are also steadily approaching in July from Osaka's home country of Japan.
Osaka taking time away from tennis
Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, pulled out of the French Open last week one day after the tournament fined her for not speaking to the media. She said in a statement she battled depression since winning the 2018 U.S. Open and wanted to skip press conferences.
The 23-year-old wrote in a close her note on Twitter:
"I'm gonna takes some time away from the court now, but when the time is right I really want to work with the Tour to discuss ways we can make things better for the players, press and fans. Anyways, hope you are all doing well and staying safe, love you guys I'll see you when I see you."
The Grand Slam tournaments collectively said in a statement they would work to improve the player experienced and offered "support and assistance" to Osaka.
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