Osaka moves to avoid Wimbledon “exhibition”

Naomi Osaka withdrew on Saturday from Wimbledon, with the four-time Grand Slam winner declaring herself still unfit from an Achilles injury.

But the former No. 1 may have also been keeping an eye on the erupting controversy over the no–points status of the Grand Slam, with Osaka following through on her earlier decision on whether or not to bother to play.

“If I play Wimbledon without points, it’s more like an exhibition,” the Japanese said.

“I know this isn’t true, right, but my brain just feels that way.

“I would love to go, just to get some experience on the grass court, but at the same time I’m the type of player that gets motivated by seeing my ranking go up.”

Osaka, her ranking down to 43rd after more than a year of infrequent WTA appearances, last played at Roland Garros, where she lost in the first round,

Wimbledon was stripped of ranking points by the ATP and WTA after the club’s decision to ban players from Russia and Belarus from competing due to the invasion of Ukraine.

Main photo:- Naomi Osaka lost in first round at Roland Garros – by Roger Parker, International Sports Fotos Ltd