Naomi Osaka withdraws from Australian Open
Naomi Osaka has pulled out of the Australian Open mere hours before she was set to take on Maddison Inglis in the third round, reports BritPanorama.
The 28-year-old, a two-time champion at Melbourne Park, confirmed her withdrawal via an Instagram post, citing a physical issue as the reason.
Her match against Inglis was scheduled as the second fixture during the Rod Laver Arena night session, following Novak Djokovic’s encounter with Botic van de Zandschulp. The announcement occurred while Djokovic was already leading his Dutch opponent by a set.
In her statement, Osaka expressed her devastation at having to exit early. “I’ve had to make the difficult decision to withdraw to address something my body needs attention for after my last match,” she wrote. “I was so excited to keep going and this run meant the most to me, so having to stop here breaks my heart but I can’t risk doing any further damage so I can get back on the court.”
Osaka thanked her fans for their support and acknowledged the kindness of her team and tournament organisers during her time in Melbourne. She had been battling an abdominal injury throughout the tournament, receiving medical attention during her second-round victory over Sorana Cirstea.
Her withdrawal allows Australian hopeful Inglis, currently ranked 168th in the world, to advance without having to play. This progression represents a significant opportunity for the home favourite, now set for a fourth-round match.
Inglis will face world number one Iga Swiatek next, a matchup that would have potentially awaited Osaka had she been able to continue. The Polish champion now faces a considerably different challenge than originally anticipated.
Despite her brief tournament run, the four-time major champion certainly left an impression during her time in Melbourne, particularly with her striking performance in her opening match. As she moves on, one can’t help but ponder how the narratives of sport, often intertwined with the personal journeys of its stars, shape our understanding of resilience and ambition in the face of adversity.
