Naomi Osaka of Japan reacts as she plays against Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic during their WTA Finals Tennis Tournament in Shenzhen, China’s Guangdong province, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
SHENZHEN, China — Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from the WTA Finals because of a right shoulder injury ahead of her scheduled round-robin match against top-ranked Ash Barty.
Alternate Kiki Bertens will take Osaka’s place against Barty later Tuesday.
“I’m disappointed to have to withdraw from the finals,” Osaka said in a statement. “This is not how I wanted to end this tournament or my season (but I look forward to getting healthy and hope to be back here next year.”
The two-time Grand Slam title winner opened with a 7-6 (1), 4-6, 6-4 win over Petra Kvitova in the Red Group.
Barty opened the round-robin stage with a 5-7, 6-1, 6-2 win over Belinda Bencic.
As an alternate, Bertens is eligible to advance to the semifinals, which is determined by match wins.