Tokyo 2020 - Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka’s first match moved - could she be part of the Olympic opening ceremony?

ByRichard Newman

Updated 23/07/2021 at 09:33 GMT

The second seed was due to play her first round singles match with China’s Zheng Saisai tomorrow, but her tie has now been scrapped from the order of play. That has led to speculation that she could be part of the opening ceremony, although details are being kept extremely secret. You can find out if she plays a part on Eurosport, the Eurosport app and discovery+ from midday BST.

Naomi Osaka’s first round match at the Olympics has been pulled from tomorrow’s order of play, fuelling speculation she could be part of today’s Tokyo 2020 opening ceremony.

The second seed is one of Japan’s best hopes of winning a home gold, and there is extra attention on her given that she is playing her first match since withdrawing from the French Open to concentrate on her mental health

Osaka has been drawn to face China’s Zheng Saisai in the opening round of the women’s singles, where world number one Ashleigh Barty is likely to be her main challenger. The tie was meant to be the first match on Centre Court at the Ariake Tennis Park, but Iga Swiatek will now kick-off the tennis programme against Mona Barthel. The first round matches are being played across the weekend.

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Details for the opening ceremony have been kept extremely secret, but just like at every Games, there are plenty of rumours around who could light the Olympic cauldron. Osaka is thought to be a leading contender, as is baseball player Shohei Ohtani, who plays for the Los Angeles Angels.

It is reported that Tokyo 2020 asked for the schedule to be changed, rather than Osaka herself, although no official reason has been given.

• Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games: Schedule, key events, every medal and more
• Osaka, Barty, Watson begin bid for Olympic tennis glory this weekend

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Watch every unmissable moment live from Tokyo 2020 across Eurosport, the Eurosport app and discovery+. Download the Eurosport app for iOS and Android now.

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