Badosa, Kvitova Withdraw from Italian Open; Osaka, Jabeur Advance

Paula Badosa and Petra Kvitova, both former world No. 2s, withdrew from the Italian Open due to injuries, causing significant disruption to the tournament's schedule. Badosa pulled out minutes before her scheduled match against Naomi Osaka because of a recurring back injury that has troubled her since early 2025, raising concerns about her participation in the upcoming French Open. Kvitova, returning from maternity leave, had to withdraw due to a lower right leg injury after winning her first-round match, granting Ons Jabeur a walkover into the third round. These withdrawals have led to lucky loser Viktorija Golubic replacing Badosa to face Osaka, while Jabeur awaits her next opponent between Jasmine Paolini and Lulu Sun. The exits of these prominent players highlight the ongoing challenges athletes face with injuries and recovery, casting uncertainty over their futures in the sport. Despite the setbacks, the tournament continues, with fans and the tennis community wishing the injured players a swift recovery.