Not unexpectedly, Naomi Osaka has pulled out of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. The tournament announced the news on Twitter, without citing the WTA star’s official reasons.
After her third-round US Open loss to eventual runner-up Leylah Fernandez, Osaka indicated that she needed an extended break and didn’t know when she would play competitively again. Therefore, the withdrawal from Indian Wells doesn’t come as a surprise.
“Recently, when I win I don’t feel happy, I feel more like a relief. When I lose I feel very sad and I don’t think that’s normal. I didn’t really want to cry but basically I feel like…,” said Osaka before breaking into tears while talking to the press at the US Open after her loss. The Japanese then continued: “I’m kinda at this point where I’m trying to figure out what I want to do and honestly don’t know when I’m going to play my next tennis match.”
Osaka was ranked third in the world during the 2021 US Open, while now she’s down to number eight.
The BNP Paribas Open, which was delayed twice during the coronavirus pandemic, will run from October 6 to October 17.
