Naomi Osaka insists ab strain ‘is not that severe’ with French Open looming

Shahida Jacobs
Naomi Osaka press conference

Naomi Osaka is confident the injury which forced her to pull out of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix is not too serious, adding she is “happy” that it didn’t happen closer to the French Open.

The world No 1 was due to take on eighth seed Anett Kontaveit in the semi-final in Stuttgart on Saturday, but she withdrew before the match due to an abdominal injury.

Osaka revealed that she picked up the injury during her quarter-final victory over Donna Vekic, insists it is not a long-term problem.

“It’s something I’ve had before. It’s an ab strain. Thankfully because I’ve had it so many times, I’m able to tell what it is and I’m able to know what to do to make it better,” she said.

“I have it at least once every year. It takes a few days to not feel it, then I just have to strengthen. It really depends on how bad I tore it. I don’t think it’s that severe, but it’s still a bit concerning.

“Even though it’s bad I got injured here, I’m happy it was the beginning and not Rome, when it’s really close to the French Open.”

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