Naomi Osaka statement after celebrating birthday in hospital

Former world No.1 Naomi Osaka was forced to withdraw from one of her home tournaments, the Japan Open in Osaka, due to a leg injury she sustained in her previous match.

The tennis star was visibly emotional as she fought through pain to defeat defending champion Suzan Lamens in a three-set match on Wednesday.

Osaka spent her 28th birthday in the hospital and was scheduled to compete against Jaqueline Cristian in Friday's quarter-final. However, tournament organizers announced her withdrawal via social media.

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"We regret to announce that Naomi Osaka has not recovered from a left leg injury sustained during the second round of this tournament and has withdrawn from the quarter-finals scheduled for today," they posted on X.

The four-time Grand Slam champion had to rely on painkillers to make it through her second-round match with Lamens, finishing the game with her thigh heavily bandaged.

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