Naomi Osaka pulled out of the Western & Southern Open ahead of Saturday's final due to a left hamstring injury, the tournament confirmed.
Former World No. 1 and 2013 W&S Open winner Victoria Azarenka, who was scheduled to face Osaka, is crowned tournament champion by walkover. The victory is the Belarusian's first since 2016.
"I'm sorry to have to withdraw today with an injury," Osaka said. "I pulled my left hamstring yesterday in the second set tiebreak and it has not recovered overnight as I had hoped. This has been an emotional week and I want to thank everyone for the outpouring of support."
Osaka's injury raises concerns just days before the US Open main draw kicks off in Flushing Meadows, New York. The current World No. 10 is set to enter the second Grand Slam of the altered tennis calendar as the fourth seed with a first-round match against Japanese countrywoman Misaki Doi on Monday evening.
Osaka entered Saturday's showcase after initially announcing she would not contest a semifinal tilt against Elise Mertens to protest social injustice following the police shooting of Jacob Blake, an unarmed Black man, in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
The WTA and ATP announced in the wake of Osaka's decision a pause of all play on Thursday in conjunction with similar displays across other sports.
"However, after my announcement and lengthy consultation with the WTA and USTA, I have agreed at their request to play on Friday," Osaka said on Thursday. "They offered to postpone all matches until Friday and in my mind that brings more attention to the movement."
Osaka triumphed over Elise Mertens 6-2, 7-6 (5) in the semifinal, but clutched her left hamstring after pursuing a ball during the second-set tiebreaker.
