Naomi Osaka withdraws from Cincinnati Open
Japan’s Naomi Osaka reacts during her loss to Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina during National Bank Open tennis tournament in Toronto on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)
CINCINNATI–Naomi Osaka withdrew on Wednesday from the WTA Cincinnati Open citing fatigue, depleting the women’s field at the final major tune-up prior to the US Open.
The four-time Grand Slam champion from Japan had been on a run of hardcourt form, reaching the Washington semifinals and the last eight at the ongoing WTA 1000 event in Toronto.
As the 11th seed, Osaka would have had a first-round bye, but said she was just not prepared to play.
“I’m really sad to have to withdraw from Cincinnati this year due to fatigue,” Osaka said in a statement. “I love playing here and am looking forward to coming back and competing in Cincinnati next year.”
It was her second consecutive withdrawal at Cincinnati. She pulled out last year blaming a change of schedule.
The 28-year-old last competed in Cincinnati in 2024, when she lost in qualifying rounds as she made a comeback after giving birth.
She finished runner-up at the 2020 edition to Victoria Azarenka.
