Rome: World No.1 Naomi Osaka said she was ‘between sad and disappointed’ after pulling out of the Italian Open before Thursday’s quarter-finals with injury just a week before the start of the French Open.
“I woke up this morning and I couldn’t really move my thumb,” the 21-year-old told a press conference. “I can’t move my hand. I can’t move my thumb and I’m not sure I can play my match. I tried to practice and grip my racket and I just felt this pain every time I tried to move my hand in different directions.”
The Japanese star was due to meet Madrid Open champion and sixth seed Kiki Bertens for a place in the final four in Rome.
“Right now I’m not mad, but between sad and disappointed,” she continued. For me it was a test to play against Kiki because she’s playing really well and I wanted to see how well I could do.”
“I didn’t feel anything yesterday. I’m pretty confused when I woke up and couldn’t move my thumb, I thought I slept on it and maybe it’ll go away but it didn’t. I haven’t seen the doctor the yet. I’ve seen the physio,” she said.
Osaka said she could stay in Rome before going on to the French Open, but did not rule out competing in Roland Garros.
“I’m going to stay here for one more day and see how it is,” she said. “I haven’t really talked to everyone so don’t really know the plan is yet. I’ve never had this problem before, it’s brand new,” she added.
“I’m going to take it like how I went to Australia,” added Osaka, who had also retired with a leg injury against Bertens in the WTA finals last October before going on to win the Australian Open.
“Grand Slams to me are like a playground, I have a lot of fun there,” she said.
AFP