Naomi Osaka has made a late withdrawal from the Australian Open just before her scheduled third-round match. The 16th seed was set to face Maddison Inglis at Rod Laver Arena, but due to an undisclosed physical issue, Osaka has had to pull out, allowing Inglis to advance to the next round.
In a statement on Instagram, Osaka expressed her disappointment at having to stop her run in the tournament to address a health concern that arose after her previous match. She thanked her fans for their support and appreciation and acknowledged her team and the tournament organizers for their backing.
Speaking to Tennis Australia, Osaka revealed that the injury she is dealing with is not new but had worsened during warm-up, prompting her decision to withdraw. She mentioned the impact of her body changes post-pregnancy, emphasizing the need for caution and further medical evaluation.
Having recently battled injuries, Osaka had to retire from her last two individual tournaments, including the Japan Open last year, due to physical issues. Her competitive year began representing Japan at the United Cup in Perth, where health concerns affected her performance.
Despite facing health challenges, Osaka remains optimistic about her future matches, taking each day and game as it comes. Her focus is on recovery and improvement to return to top form for upcoming competitions.