Japanese superstar Naomi Osaka has had her opening Olympic tennis match pushed back a day to Sunday following a request from Tokyo Games organisers.
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The move prompted speculation about a possible role for Osaka in the Olympic opening ceremony on Friday night, which wouldn't leave much time to rest before a Saturday morning match.
Four-time grand slam champion Osaka will be making her return to tennis after a two-month mental health break since pulling out of the French Open.
She had been scheduled to kick off Olympic proceedings on the main showcourt at the Ariake Tennis Park against China's Saisai Zheng.
"The request came from Tokyo 2020 organisers to move her match to Sunday," an ITF spokesperson said. There was no reason given for the switch.
Australian Associated Press
