Japan’s Naomi Osaka withdrew from the WTA Cincinnati Open on Wednesday, citing fatigue following a grueling North American hardcourt swing. The 28-year-old four-time Grand Slam champion’s late exit removes her from the final major tune-up ahead of the US Open.
A Heavy Workload and a Sudden Exit
The physical toll of a relentless North American hardcourt swing finally caught up to Naomi Osaka on Wednesday in Cincinnati. After compiling a demanding schedule with deep runs at both the Mubadala DC Open and the National Bank Open in Toronto, the former World No. 1 decided she could not press forward at the WTA 1000 event in Ohio.
Osaka played a total of seven matches across her time in Washington, D.C., and Toronto, two of which required three sets. Her Toronto campaign ended on Tuesday afternoon with a punishing quarterfinal loss to World No. 2 Elena Rybakina, surrendering a commanding lead in a 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-4 defeat that lasted two hours and thirty-three minutes.
“I’m really sad to have to withdraw from Cincinnati this year due to fatigue. I love playing here and am looking forward to coming back and competing in Cincinnati next year.”
Naomi Osaka, via WTA Tennis
The announcement mirrors her approach from last season, when Osaka withdrew from Cincinnati following a run to the Montreal final due to a similar schedule adjustment. As the 11th seed, Osaka would have enjoyed a first-round bye in Ohio before stepping onto the court.
Draw Shifts and Beneficiaries in the First Quarter
Osaka’s late withdrawal immediately restructured the top of the bracket in the tournament’s first quarter. Katerina Siniakova stepped directly into Osaka’s vacant seeding position on line 17 of the draw.
Siniakova, an 11-time doubles Grand Slam champion, now inherits a first-round bye. She advances straight to the second round, where she will face the winner of the match between Jessica Bouzas Maneiro and Anna Bondar. Meanwhile, either a qualifier or a lucky loser will fill Siniakova’s former spot on line 28 to face Maria Timofeeva.
Looking Ahead to Flushing Meadows
The decision to skip the final major hardcourt tune-up serves as a calculated preservation strategy. Osaka has steadily climbed back up the tennis hierarchy since returning to the tour at the start of 2024 following the birth of her daughter, Shai, in July 2023.
Her recent hardcourt form demonstrated that her competitive edge remains sharp. Her summer surge included a run to the semifinals in Washington, D.C., where Alexandra Eala eliminated her in straight sets, followed by her strong showing in Toronto.
With Cincinnati now in the rearview mirror, Osaka turns her full attention toward the season’s final Grand Slam. As a two-time champion at the US Open, she will use the intervening days to rest and prepare for Flushing Meadows, where she stands among the contenders for the major title.
Worth a look
