Naomi Osaka's Next Tournament: Everything to know about Japanese's schedule following China Open injury heartbreak

Naomi Osaka recently announced her participation in the 2024 Pan Pacific Open, set to take place in Tokyo from October 21–27, after skipping the Wuhan Open due to a back injury sustained at the China Open.

The four-time Grand Slam champion was last seen in action at the China Open in late September, where she defeated Lucia Bronzetti, Yulia Putinseva, and Katie Volynets. Her run, however, ended in heartbreaking fashion in the fourth round against Coco Gauff. After splitting the first two sets 6-3, 4-6, Osaka was forced to retire before the deciding set due to a back issue.

Osaka made her return to professional tennis earlier this year in Brisbane following a year-long hiatus due to pregnancy. She won her opening match against Tamara Korpatsch in straight sets but fell to defending champion Karolína Pliskova in the second round.

She later reached the quarterfinals in Qatar, where Pliskova again ended her run. Osaka also made third-round appearances at Indian Wells and Miami, where she lost to Elise Mertens and Caroline Garcia, respectively.

On grass, Osaka found her rhythm with a quarterfinal appearance at the Libema Open, following a challenging claycourt season. During the North American hard-court swing, she posted a 3-3 record and exited in the second round of the US Open, losing to eventual semifinalist Karolina Muchova.

Heading into Tokyo, Osaka holds a 22-17 match record for the season and will be looking to make a strong impact at her home infront of her adoring fans.

Naomi Osaka is a former Pan Pacific Open Champion

Naomi Osaka in action at the 2022 Pan Pacific Open (Picture: Getty)

Naomi Osaka famously lifted the 2019 Pan Pacific Open title, becoming the first Japanese player to win the event in 24 years, and the third overall after Kazuko Sawamatsu and Kimiko Date.

Osaka made her event debut in 2013 but lost in the first round of qualifying. Her main draw debut came in 2015, where she was defeated by Barbora Strycova in her opener. In 2016, she reached the final but fell to Caroline Wozniacki.

In 2019, Osaka cruised through the draw, beating Viktoriya Tomova, Yulia Putinseva, and ninth seed Elise Mertens before securing her first title at her home event, brushing aside Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in straight sets 6-2, 6-3.

Osaka last played the tournament in 2022, withdrawing before her second-round clash against Beatriz Haddad Maia. With a 12-5 record at the venue, she will be eager to improve on that in front of her home crowd this year as she continues her rise to the top.