Local favorites Kurumi Nara and Kimiko Date-Krumm have withdrawn from next week's Japan Women's Open, organizers announced Saturday.
Nara, who at No. 37 is Japan's top-ranked women's player, is having respiratory difficulties. The 44-year-old Date-Krumm, currently ranked 101st in the world, is dealing with an injury to her glutes.
"It's my local tournament, so I really wanted to see me play with all my might," Nara said in a statement. "This is really regrettable."
Date-Krumm said, "It is too bad, but can't be helped. I want to do what it takes so I am able to recover quickly and get back into action as soon as I can."
The tournament kicks off on Monday at Osaka's Utsubo Tennis Center.