عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Sports

Osaka, Krejcikova Pull out of Dubai Championships 

Naomi Osaka of Japan in action against Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic during their quarter-final match at the WTA Qatar Open Tennis tournament at the Khalifa International Tennis Complex in Doha, Qatar, 15 February 2024. (EPA)
Naomi Osaka of Japan in action against Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic during their quarter-final match at the WTA Qatar Open Tennis tournament at the Khalifa International Tennis Complex in Doha, Qatar, 15 February 2024. (EPA)
TT
TT

Osaka, Krejcikova Pull out of Dubai Championships 

Naomi Osaka of Japan in action against Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic during their quarter-final match at the WTA Qatar Open Tennis tournament at the Khalifa International Tennis Complex in Doha, Qatar, 15 February 2024. (EPA)
Naomi Osaka of Japan in action against Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic during their quarter-final match at the WTA Qatar Open Tennis tournament at the Khalifa International Tennis Complex in Doha, Qatar, 15 February 2024. (EPA)

Four-times Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka and holder Barbora Krejcikova have pulled out of the Dubai Tennis Championships.

Osaka is still trying to find her feet on tour after returning to the circuit last month following a maternity break.

The Japanese player fell in the first round of the Australian Open and in Abu Dhabi, and lost to Karolina Pliskova in the Qatar Open quarter-finals on Thursday.

"I'm really sorry that I have to withdraw from the Dubai Tennis Championships this season," Osaka, whose last appearance in the event was five years ago, said in a statement on the tournament's website.

Former French Open Krejcikova champion, who won her maiden Dubai title last year after defeating world number one Iga Swiatek in straight sets, withdrew due to a back injury.

"This decision wasn't easy, especially given my fond memories and anticipation to compete again. However, my back injury requires further healing time. But I am committed to returning stronger next year," the Czech 28-year-old said.

Most Viewed

 
 
Sports

South Korea Expresses Regret after Its Athletes Introduced as North Korea at Opening Ceremony

Athletes of South Korea travel by boat along the Seine river during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, in Paris, France, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP)
Athletes of South Korea travel by boat along the Seine river during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, in Paris, France, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP)
TT
TT

South Korea Expresses Regret after Its Athletes Introduced as North Korea at Opening Ceremony

Athletes of South Korea travel by boat along the Seine river during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, in Paris, France, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP)
Athletes of South Korea travel by boat along the Seine river during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, in Paris, France, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP)

South Korea expressed regret that its delegation of athletes at the Paris Olympics opening ceremony on Friday was introduced as from rival North Korea and has demanded assurances from organizers the mistake will not happen again.

As the boat carrying South Korean athletes passed on the Seine, the announcer introduced them as the "Democratic People's Republic of Korea" - the official name of North Korea - in French and English.

The announcer used the same introduction when the North Korean delegation passed.

South Korea's vice minister for sports and culture, Jang Mi-ran, who was in Paris, had requested a meeting with International Olympics Committee President Thomas Bach, the ministry said in a statement.

"We express regret that the country was introduced as North Korea at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games when the athletes of the Republic of Korea were entering," it said.

South Korea's National Olympic Committee immediately referred the incident to the Games' organizers and requested that the error will not be repeated.

South Korea's delegation includes 143 athletes competing in 21 events. North Korea, which is returning to the Games for the first time since Rio 2016, has sent 16 athletes.