Naomi Osaka has made the decision to withdraw from the Australian Open just hours before her third-round match. The 16th seed was set to face Maddison Inglis on Rod Laver Arena, but due to a necessary attention to her physical condition following her last match, Osaka opted out. Consequently, Inglis, an Australian qualifier, will now progress to the last 16.
In a statement shared on Instagram, Osaka expressed her disappointment at having to end her run in the tournament prematurely due to the need to address a physical issue that arose after her previous match. She thanked her fans for their support and her team for their unwavering backing throughout.
Speaking to the media through Tennis Australia, Osaka revealed that the decision to withdraw was influenced by a recurring injury that she thought she could manage. However, the discomfort worsened during warm-up, prompting her to prioritize her health and avoid exacerbating the issue further, especially considering the changes her body has undergone post-pregnancy.
Notably, Osaka’s recent match against Sorana Cirstea ended with a hard-fought victory in three sets, and she also faced a challenging battle in the first round against Antonia Ruzic. This withdrawal marks her second consecutive exit from a tournament as an individual, following a similar situation at the Japan Open last year.
At the start of this year, Osaka participated in the United Cup in Perth, representing Japan. Despite health challenges that affected her performance, she remained grateful for the opportunity to compete, albeit not at her optimal level. Osaka remains focused on her journey, taking each day and each match as they come.