Several reports believed that Osaka had not registered for the event and was unlikely to be involved; amid the Coronavirus pandemic which will see players in a bubble type atmosphere.

Reigning champion Bianca Andreescu has also been a doubt in recent weeks; with her status unknown and like Osaka, she will not be at the Western & Southern Open.

For the Japanese ace, her management team told Reuters via email that the reports were not correct; that she would compete in Flushing Meadows.