Osaka given green light to play at Paris Olympics

TOKYO: Former world number one Naomi Osaka has been given the green light to compete for Japan at next month´s Paris Olympics, the country´s tennis association said Thursday.

Former US Open finalist Kei Nishikori has also been cleared to play, the Japan Tennis Association said. Four-time Grand Slam winner Osaka lit the cauldron at the opening ceremony of the Covid-delayed Tokyo Games in 2021, where she went on to make the third round.

She has since become a mother and returned to tennis late last year after a 15-month maternity break. The 26-year-old is currently ranked 125th in the world.