Naomi Osaka, Rafael Nadal Withdraw From Wimbledon

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Naomi Osaka, Rafael Nadal Withdraw From Wimbledon
By Anton Lagani, Lawn Tennis Analyst, Posted: Wednesday, June 23, 2021 9:19am PST USA

London-- Next week's Wimbledon championships has lost two of tennis' hottest superstars as the world number two Naomi Osaka of Japan as well as the world number three Rafael Nadal of Spain have both withdrawn from tennis' largest grass court tournament.

After suffering a shock defeat in the semifinals of Roland Garros in Paris to the world number one Novak Djokovic of Serbia earlier this month, Nadal withdrew from Wimbledon as well as the Olympics citing a need for a break from the professional tennis tour.

The 23 year old Osaka, who announced prior to Roland Garros that she would not participate in any press conferences in Paris, skipped press after winning her round one match. She was then fined $15,000 and threatened with

Naomi Osaka of Japan

Osaka, 15-0 in her last three grand slam events, earned an estimated $55 million dollars last year to become the highest paid female athlete ever.

suspension from future grand slam events.

Osaka subsequently withdrew from Roland Garros as well as Wimbledon before announcing that she was looking forward to playing in front of her home crowds in the upcoming Olympic games.

The Olympics are set to begin July 23rd in Tokyo, Japan.

Osaka earned an estimated $55 million dollars last year to become the highest paid female athlete ever due in part to sponsorship deals with several Japan based corporations.

Osaka is 15-0 in her last three grand slam tournaments after winning last year's US Open as well as the Australian Open in January before withdrawing in Paris.

Osaka turned pro in 2013 and has not yet competed at the Olympics.

Osaka posted her best Wimbledon result in third round finishes in 2017 and 2018.

The 35 year old Nadal won gold in men's singles at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China before winning a second gold medal in men's doubles in 2016 at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Nadal, known more for his clay court skills, won Wimbledon titles in 2008 and 2010.