Former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from the Australian Open due to an abdominal injury, ending her 2026 run before her scheduled third-round match in Melbourne.
Tournament officials confirmed that Osaka pulled out hours before she was set to face Australian qualifier Maddison Inglis at Rod Laver Arena, ESPN reports. The 28-year-old later indicated that the injury stemmed from her second-round match against Romania’s Sorana Cîrstea, a three-set victory that included a medical timeout late in the contest.
In a video, she explained she had “every intention to play” but the issues started during hr match with Cîrstea.
ontent-ad2">Osaka experienced discomfort during that match and briefly left the court before returning to finish the encounter. The issue worsened dur
ing warmups ahead of her third-round match, prompting the decision to withdraw rather than risk further injury. The condition was described as a left abdominal issue, similar to injuries she has dealt with earlier in her career.Osaka is a two-time Australian Open champion having won the title in 2019 and 2021. Osaka returned to full-time competition in 2024 after taking a 15-month break from tennis following the birth of her daughter, Shai, in July 2023.
Her second-round match against Cîrstea also drew attention for a tense post-match exchange. Osaka ultimately prevailed in three sets, Fox News reports.
With Osaka out, Inglis advanced by walkover and moved on to face world No. 2 Iga Świątek in the fourth round.
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