Global tennis stars Jessica Pegula and Naomi Osaka have announced unexpected schedule changes ahead of the grass court season. After struggling on clay, Osaka confirmed she’s pulling out of the upcoming HSBC Championship at Queen’s Club.
She’s not alone. Other big names, including Tommy Paul and Frances Tiafoe, are also skipping the tournament.
Shocking Mass Withdrawals Unfold as Grass Court Season Approaches
The last clay-court event of the season is in the semifinals. Typically, players would ramp up for the Queen’s Club Championship, which starts Wednesday, June 11. But this year, many are choosing to sit it out. The update came just days after the tournament authorities took the Japanese player in as a wild-card entry.
The official X account for the HSBC Championships shared a post announcing Pegula and Osaka’s withdrawals. The message also included a note of support for both players:
“Hoping to see @JPegula & @naomiosaka back on court soon,” the post read.
Hoping to see @JPegula & @naomiosaka back on court soon ❤️🤍#HSBCChampionships pic.twitter.com/9itz6TUAxd
— HSBC Championships (@QueensTennis) June 5, 2025
The withdrawals weren’t limited to the WTA. On the men’s side, ATP standouts Paul and Tiafoe also pulled out. Paul lost to Carlos Alcaraz in the Roland Garros quarterfinals, while Lorenzo Musetti eliminated Tiafoe.
However, the Italian player has also announced his exit from the upcoming event. Reports also unveiled the list of replacements at the HSBC Championships. This includes the Spanish ATP pro Robert Bautista Agut, the 23-year-old Jacob Fearnley, the Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi, and Ugo Carabelli. The tournament is scheduled to kick off on June 9th and will last almost a week.
Naomi Osaka Voices Frustration Over Roland Garros Performance
Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champ, broke down emotionally after her first-round loss at Roland Garros. She fell to Paula Badosa 7-6, 1-6, 4-6 and admitted she felt like she had let people down. Her statement also included a mention of the recurring struggles she faces while competing on the red dirt.
“As time goes on, I feel like I should be doing better,” Osaka told reporters. “I hate disappointing people. So, even with Patrick, I was thinking this just now, but he goes from working with the greatest player ever to…this? You know what I mean? Since Rome, I have had blisters on my hands. I think it’s from the friction of clay, because I don’t have blisters on any other surface.”
Osaka’s next event hasn’t been confirmed. Aside from Queen’s Club, other players may attend events like the Libema Open or the WTA 500 tournament in Stuttgart.
If they want to withdraw forget about them I wouldn’t invite them again they they are crossed out of my list all crying about little things they’re lucky they get invited don’t invite the people again trying to boycott