Naomi Osaka was unable to complete the match in the final of the Bad Homburg Open.
Osaka reached the first grass court final of her career in Bad Homburg, having beaten the likes of Elise Mertens and Ekaterina Alexandrova to do so.
The former world number one was also seeking her first WTA Tour level title of any kind since winning the Australian Open in 2021.
However, Osaka was unable to beat Karolina Muchova in the final, after being forced to retire due to a foot injury.
Naomi Osaka speaks after retiring against Karolina Muchova
Osaka took a medical timeout for a foot issue in the early stages of the first set, but carried on competing.
However, after going down 6-1, 1-0, Osaka decided that she could no longer continue, with just two days until Wimbledon.
Despite being unable to finish the match, Osaka spoke in the post-match ceremony, where she apologised to those attending.
Osaka also congratulated Muchova for her victory, before thanking the tournament organisers and her team.
“I just want to say thank you everyone that came to the match, I apologise for not being able to finish,” said Osaka. “But this atmosphere was incredible throughout the whole week, so thank you so much and I hope you’re not too hot.
“Also congratulations Karolina, you’re one of the coolest girls on tour and it is always so fun to play you. Congratulations for an incredible tournament and I hope you have the best of luck at Wimbledon as well.”
Osaka continued, “Thank you to the ball girls and boys, the umpires and officials, the tournament director [Aljoscha Thron], Angie [Kerber] and just thank you everyone that has supported the tournament and thank you to the city of Bad Homburg, it is a very beautiful place, you guys have very amazing flowers. I like looking at the flowers in the gardens, so thank you to everyone that organised the tournament.”
She concluded, “Thank you to my team, Tomasz [Wiktorowski] you’re funny, I know it didn’t end the way we wanted it to but I had a really fun time…Just thank you to all my family and friends at home, thank you to my daughter, I’m sure she’s watching at home and I’ll see you later today.”
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Muchova has now won her first WTA 500 title in Bad Homburg, but she first wanted to wish Osaka well ahead of Wimbledon.
“I want to start with Naomi. I’m sorry, nobody wants to retire in the final so I’m sorry,” Muchova said. “We both play at Wimbledon on Monday so you have exactly one day to recover, I wish you all the best and as well good luck for Wimby, your team as well and yeah it’s been a great week.”
Muchova then went on to reflect on her run to the title in Bad Homburg, which is her second tournament victory this year after winning the Bad Homburg Open.
“For me it couldn’t have been a better week in Bad Homburg, maybe if it was 10 degrees less it could have been better, but I’m so happy to win my first 500 title, my first title on the grass and yeah thank you everyone,” continued Muchova.
“I feel like everyone who has come this week deserves a medal, because it’s been hot like hell and it’s packed here, I don’t see any seats empty so you guys are spectacular, so thank you guys very much for coming out and supporting us.
“I want to thank my team, which is my coach here, last guy standing. My team slowly left me this week, but I thank them as well, I think they are watching. Thank you Sven [Groeneveld] for keeping me hydrated, for keeping me very positive, saving me steps in the morning to walk in the heat for a coffee, always did that job and bring it to me, so thank you very much.
“And last to the tournament director Joshie [Thron], thank you to Angie. I wish I paid more attention in school to learn German, I couldn’t understand anything you said but it sounded good. Thank you to all the ball girls and guys, yeah all the sponsors, the city of Bad Homburg and everyone, thank you very much!”
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Angelique Kerber sends message to Naomi Osaka after retiring in Bad Homburg
Former world number one and three-time Grand Slam champion Angelique Kerber was in attendance for the final of the Bad Homburg Open, where she is now the sporting director after retiring in 2024.
Kerber is also a former champion in Bad Homburg, and had some words for both Osaka and Muchova after the conclusion of the match.
“Naomi, well done for the week still but I hope you will recover soon,” said Kerber. “And also Karolina good job for this amazing week, congrats for winning Bad Homburg Open. I think it’s a great feeling, I know how it feels so well done for the amazing week.”
Muchova fell out of the top 10 earlier this week, but she has now returned after winning her third career title in Bad Homburg.
The Czech is also up to sixth in the race to the WTA Finals, a tournament Muchova has not qualified for before.
Both Muchova and Osaka will now turn their attention to Wimbledon, where they are scheduled to play against Anastasia Zakharova and Elsa Jacquemot in their respective first round matches on Monday, June 29.
