Two-time US Open champion Naomi Osaka is seeking answers to a persistent left Achilles tendon injury that hindered her performance in a fourth-round loss to Elena Rybakina on Monday. The Japanese star, who had received treatment during a medical timeout in her third-round win over Elise Mertens, said the problem worsened in her 6-1, 6-4 defeat.
"The last match I played, I felt a lot in my leg," Osaka said. "Then this morning, it just got a lot worse. I felt like I played the best that I could given the situation. I can't really push off like I want, and when I land, it hurts a little."
Osaka attempted to manage the injury by serving slower to reduce the impact when she landed. "I was trying to figure out ways to, I guess, minimize it," she explained. Despite her efforts, reigning Australian Open champion Rybakina needed just 66 minutes to defeat Osaka.
Following the match, Osaka revealed she had undergone multiple ultrasounds and was planning to get an MRI to better understand the extent of the injury. "Yesterday I got an ultrasound, and then I got an ultrasound again just now, and I'm probably going to go get an MRI, because, honestly, I don't really know too much about what's going on," she said.
Osaka is hopeful she can manage the injury through the end of the season. "Thankfully we're at the end of the year, so after the Asian swing, we do get two weeks off. I'm just going to make do with the time that I have and try to be smart about the amount of matches I play."
Despite the injury, Osaka expressed satisfaction with her Grand Slam season. She exited the Australian Open in the third round but reached the last 16 at Roland Garros and achieved her best-ever quarter-final run at Wimbledon, which included a victory over top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka. "I started the year injured," she said. "I don't know if this counts as ending the year injured, but I definitely learned a lot about myself, about my tennis."
Osaka's journey back to the tour after an extended maternity leave has been marked by resilience and determination. Her recent performances in Grand Slam events highlight her growth as a player and her ability to compete at the highest level despite challenges. For Bangladeshi tennis enthusiasts, Osaka's story serves as an inspiration, demonstrating the importance of perseverance and the pursuit of excellence in sports.
