January 24, 2026
‘I’ve needed to make the tough determination to withdraw to handle one thing my physique wants consideration for after my final match,’ mentioned Osaka.
Former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from the Australian Open as a consequence of an stomach harm, ending her 2026 run earlier than her scheduled third-round match in Melbourne.
Tournament officers confirmed that Osaka pulled out hours before she was set to face Australian qualifier Maddison Inglis at Rod Laver Arena, ESPN studies. The 28-year-old later indicated that the harm stemmed from her second-round match in opposition to Romania’s Sorana Cîrstea, a three-set victory that included a medical timeout late within the contest.
In a video, she defined she had “each intention to play” however the points began throughout hr match with Cîrstea.
Osaka skilled discomfort throughout that match and briefly left the courtroom earlier than returning to complete the encounter. The concern worsened throughout warmups forward of her third-round match, prompting the choice to withdraw slightly than danger additional harm. The situation was described as a left stomach concern, just like accidents she has handled earlier in her profession.
Osaka is a two-time Australian Open champion having received the title in 2019 and 2021. Osaka returned to full-time competitors in 2024 after taking a 15-month break from tennis following the start of her daughter, Shai, in July 2023.
Her second-round match in opposition to Cîrstea additionally drew consideration for a tense post-match change. Osaka in the end prevailed in three sets, Fox News studies.
With Osaka out, Inglis superior by walkover and moved on to face world No. 2 Iga Świątek within the fourth spherical.
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