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ROME: Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from the Italian Open on Monday with a left Achilles injury.
The four-time grand slam champion sustained the problem in her first-round win over Anastasia Potapova at the Madrid Open 10 days ago and she said she “hasn’t healed yet.”
Osaka said in a statement: “Unfortunately I’m going to have to withdraw from Rome as the injury which I picked up last week in Madrid hasn’t healed yet. It’s an Achilles injury so I need to be careful, especially in advance of Roland Garros.”
The former world number one has never reached the final of a clay-court tournament, but will be hoping to put that record straight at the French Open which starts on May 22.
Osaka was slated to open against Sara Sorribes Tormo of Spain, whom she lost to in the second round in Madrid. The 24-year-old tennis star will be replaced in the draw by Nuria Parrizas Diaz.