Naomi Osaka surprised everyone by revealing the true reason behind the injury that plagued her at Wimbledon, immediately dispelling rumors of a potential ankle problem. The Japanese tennis player, a four-time Grand Slam champion, saw her best performance ever at the All England Club come to an abrupt end against Czech player Karolina Muchova, after a recurring foot injury forced her to request medical assistance still in the first set.
At 28 years old, Osaka explained in a press conference after the match that it was not her ankle that caused her withdrawal, but rather a diagnosis of plantar fasciitis in both feet. “It’s not my ankle. I’m just getting old,” the Japanese player joked. “I have plantar fasciitis in my feet. At least that’s what we assume. It’s never the ankles. In fact, I have quite flexible ankles,” she further clarified, emphasizing the persistent nature of the injury that has been affecting her lately.
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The critical incident occurred when Osaka was preparing to serve, trailing 2-3 in the first set. It was then that she called for the tournament physiotherapist, with her left foot being taped on the court. However, this was not the first time that the injury interrupted an important grass campaign for the former world number one. Already in Bad Homburg, Germany, during a WTA 500 tournament, Osaka was forced to retire against the same opponent, Karolina Muchova, due to exactly the same physical problem.
The injury history dates back to last year's preseason, but it has resurfaced with intensity precisely during the grass tour. “I think it flared up on the grass because I have to push much harder forward. I don't think it will bother me on hard courts,” analyzed Osaka, expressing hope for an effective recovery before the next stage of the season.
Despite the early elimination, the Japanese player did not attribute the defeat solely to her physical condition, also taking personal responsibility. “It's hard for me to think of something positive right away. I feel like I played very well in the last match, but today I just wasn't good and had no energy at all. The result was even good, considering,” she acknowledged, providing an honest assessment of her performance.
Osaka also hinted at the possibility of rethinking her approach to the grass season after playing two consecutive weeks without rest. “I wanted to try that rhythm, and it went well, but I probably won't do it again. I would say it was a buildup of matches without a day off,” she admitted, revealing accumulated fatigue.
With Wimbledon behind her, the former world number one is now turning her attention to the North American hard court tour and the US Open, carrying with her the best result ever on grass and the 15th career win against a top-10 opponent – and the first outside of hard courts. The only uncertainty lies in her physical response, but Osaka's confidence remains intact for the upcoming challenges.
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