Naomi Osaka informed officials at Berlin’s WTA 500 event next week that she will not participate, casting some doubt on whether she will compete at Wimbledon.
Tournament officials for the Wimbledon tuneup that begins on June 14 said Osaka informed them she will be taking a break.
“We have received notification Naomi Osaka cannot start in Berlin,” the organizers said in a statement. “After consulting her management, she will take a break.”
Osaka, 23, opted out of the French Open after the first round last week upon being fined $15,000 for refusing to take part in a post-match media session.
Prior to the French Open, Osaka said she would not speak to the media, contending media sessions can negatively impact an athlete’s mental health and confidence.
The four-time Grand Slam winner and world’s second-ranked player has yet to confirm her intentions for Wimbledon, which begins June 28.
Osaka won the U.S. Open (2018, 2020) and the Australian Open (2019, 2021). She has yet to advance past the third round at Roland Garros or Wimbledon.
–Field Level Media