Naomi Osaka accepts wildcard to San Jose tournament

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Naomi Osaka (TPN/Getty Images)

Naomi Osaka will compete in the Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic, having accepted a wild card to compete in the tournament.

It will be her first competition since Roland Garros in a field that includes Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina, world No. 5 Ons Jabeur, Coco Gauff and Bianca Andreescu.

The tournament is the same where she made her WTA main-draw debut in 2014. Just 16 years old, she advanced past Sam Stosur in three sets in the first round. This year will be her first appearance in the event since it moved to San Jose from Stanford.

“We are very excited to have Naomi Osaka returning to the Bay Area,” tournament director Vickie Gunnarsson said. “She made her WTA debut at our event and watching her grow both on and off the court has been amazing.”

“She is not only an incredible player but her commitment to equality and social change is truly inspiring.”

The four-time Grand Slam champion did not play Wimbledon, citing an Achilles injury. Additionally, the tournament receiving no ranking points, she said, made it feel “more like an exhibition.”