Osaka quells injury concerns after second round loss in Madrid

Former World No.1 Naomi Osaka has brushed off any injury concerns following her second round loss to Sara Sorribes Tormo at the Madrid Open on Sunday.

The four-time Grand Slam champion looked spry in her opening round victory over Anastasia Potapova, but was seen sporting a heavily taped lower leg in her match against the Spaniard.

Nonetheless, Osaka seemed dismissive of any long-term injury concerns after the match, stating she should have been more prepared before the match.

"I felt something in my Achilles after my last match, and I wasn't really able to hit yesterday because I wanted it to go away," Osaka said after the match. "Honestly, I probably should have been a bit smarter about the whole way that I went through everything.

"I felt it again today and I tried to take an ibuprofen [during the match] but I probably should have taken it way sooner than I did. But, yeah, I'm sure it will be fine."

The Japanese superstar revealed she experienced similar pain in her Achilles after the Miami Open a few years ago, and plans on getting an ultrasound to better understand the issue.

"I can't imagine that it will be a huge problem unless something significant happens, but I think for right now, just learning how to move forward with everything," said Osaka.

The 24-year old's next tournament is scheduled to be the Internazionali BNL d'Italia in Rome, which begins on May 9.