Former world number one Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from the Japan Open ahead of her quarter-final clash, citing a leg injury she picked up during her second-round victory.

Osaka struggled through a grueling three-set win over defending champion Suzan Lamens on Wednesday, finishing the match with heavy strapping on her left thigh and requiring painkillers to continue. Despite her determination to push through, the 26-year-old was unable to recover in time for Friday’s last-eight tie.

Tournament organisers confirmed her withdrawal in a post on X, saying: “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that Naomi Osaka has not recovered from a left leg injury sustained during the second round of this tournament and has withdrawn from the quarter-finals scheduled for today.” The announcement means Romania’s Jaqueline Cristian will advance to the semi-finals by walkover.

It remains uncertain whether Osaka will be fit to compete in the upcoming Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo later this month.

Her withdrawal adds to an expanding list of top players forced to end their seasons early due to injuries or fatigue. World number one Iga Swiatek recently criticised the demanding tennis calendar, describing it as “too long and too intense.”

British number one Emma Raducanu also announced an early end to her season after retiring from two consecutive matches due to illness, while Daria Kasatkina, Elina Svitolina, and Paula Badosa have all stepped away from competition in recent weeks for health-related reasons.

In total, five players retired injured across two tournaments in China last week, underscoring growing concerns over player welfare in the professional circuit.