Naomi Osaka 'really sorry' as season ends with Hong Kong withdrawal, Emma Raducanu set to start comeback
By Jonny Bray
Published 21/10/2024 at 18:52 GMT+1
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Former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka will not compete when the 2024 Hong Kong Open gets underway later this month. However, stars like British No. 1 Katie Boulter and former US Open champion Emma Raducanu are set to take part in the tournament. Osaka will still be present when the action gets underway, but she has apologised to her fans for not being able to take part in the event.
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Former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from the 2024 Hong Kong Open and is out for the rest of the season due to an injury.
The Hong Kong, China Tennis Association made the announcement ahead of the start of the tournament on October 28, but Britain's former US Open champion Emma Raducanu is set to compete.
Osaka apologised to her fans but revealed that she would still be attending the event as a spectator.
“I’m really sorry that I have had to withdraw from competing at the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open and the rest of this tennis season,” said Osaka.
“I love visiting the tournament and despite the obvious disappointment of not being able to play, I want to reassure all my wonderful Hong Kong fans that I will still be attending the event.
"I am very much looking forward to meeting you all.
"There is a wonderful line-up of world-class players coming to the tournament and I want to wish them all the best of luck in this exciting event.”
The 2024 Hong Kong Open will run until November 3 with defending champion Leylah Fernandez and British No. 1 Katie Boulter also set to take part.
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The director of International Events at the Hong Kong, China Tennis Association, Peter Johnston, wished Osaka a speedy recovery ahead of the tournament.
“We are obviously very disappointed that Naomi has had to withdraw from competing and we sincerely hope that she makes a speedy recovery from her injuries,” he added.
“We are nevertheless confident that we have a stellar field of world-class players to enthuse and excite Hong Kong tennis fans.”
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