Osaka withdraws from Abu Dhabi tournament

After withdrawing from the 3rd round of the Australian Open, where she suffered a relapse of her abdominal injury, Naomi Osaka is to extend her absence from the circuit.

The Japanese player has withdrawn from the WTA 500 Abu Dhabi (February 3-8), where she should have played in the qualifying rounds, as her current ranking (42nd in the world) does not allow her to make the tournament cut.

Another withdrawal for the four-time Grand Slam winner, who had shown promise in the first week of the season by reaching the final of the Auckland tournament.