LOS ANGELES, Sept. 23 (BUS): Naomi Osaka, who said at the US Open that she plans to take a break from tennis, has officially withdrawn from next month’s BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.
The Grand Slam champion slipped into the third round of the year’s Grand Final, after which she told reporters she needed to take a break to focus on her mental health, Reuters reported.
Osaka has struggled on the field since pulling out of the French Open in May amid a row with tournament officials over the required media appearance, which she said has had a negative impact on her.
The 23-year-old Japanese player won her first WTA title at Indian Wells in 2018.
“We look forward to seeing you in 2022, Naomi,” the tournament said on Twitter.