Naomi Osaka set to make comeback alongside Emma Raducanu at 2024 Hong Kong Open

Former World No.1 Naomi Osaka has been announced as a competitor at the upcoming Hong Kong Open, following the Japanese superstar's injury withdrawal at last month's China Open.

The four-time Grand Slam champion faced American tennis phenom Coco Gauff in the round of 16 in Beijing two weeks ago, but was forced to withdraw due to a back injury with the match tied at a set apiece. Subsequently, Osaka pulled out of the Japan Open, stating her back injury was worse than she initially thought.

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Osaka sets Hong Kong Open as target return date

“It was worse than what I thought (I just have a high pain tolerance lol) and I'm trying my best to potentially play Tokyo but I'm still waiting to see what the doctor says,” wrote Osaka in one of her Instagram stories.

However, it appears her return may be on the horizon as the organizers of the Hong Kong Open announced she would be joining the field.

"Naomi Osaka is a four-time Grand Slam champion, winning the Australian Open in 2019 and 2021, and the US Open in 2018 and 2020,” they wrote on social media. “As a new addition to a highly competitive field, she is also joined by rising star Diana Shnaider and World No. 38 Anastasia Potapova.”

With the event scheduled to kick off on October 28, 2024, another Grand Slam champion will also be making her return to the WTA tour in Hong Kong. Britain's Emma Raducanu, who famously won the US Open in 2021, will also be making her return after retiring with a foot injury during her quarterfinal match at the Korea Open in September.