Naomi Osaka has officially withdrawn from the Australian Open before her third-round match against Australia’s qualifier Maddison Inglis, marking an early exit from a tournament that had seen moments of fashion innovation and on-court tension. The announcement was made via Osaka’s Instagram account, where she chose not to specify the injury initially but emphasized the necessity to prioritize her physical health following her last match.
In her statement, Osaka expressed how much the tournament run meant to her, stating she was eager to continue but recognized the risk of aggravating a physical issue. Tournament organizers later shared Osaka's comments revealing a left abdominal injury that she has encountered multiple times in her career. "It's an injury I've had a couple of times before, and I thought I could push through it," she confessed. She described playing her previous match while experiencing pain and hoped a rest before the scheduled third-round encounter would aid her condition. However, she noted that warming up intensified the discomfort, forcing her to make the difficult decision to pull out.
The 28-year-old athlete highlighted that additional medical tests are planned to clarify the appropriate course for longer-term treatment. She connected her current physical challenges to changes she experienced following the birth of her daughter, Shai, in July 2023. Osaka acknowledged that returning to competitive tennis after pregnancy necessitated caution with her evolving body and its needs.
Reflecting on her health status aside from the injury, Osaka remarked on her general good health and expressed hope for competitive performance later in the year. Earlier in the tournament, Osaka made headlines with a distinctive court entrance underscored by elaborate attire—an outfit featuring a wide-brimmed hat, veil, and parasol, designed in collaboration with her sponsor Nike.
Osaka's journey through the tournament also involved a hard-fought second-round match with Sorana Cirstea, which Osaka won in three sets but was marred by evident friction. Their post-match interaction was notably terse, with limited acknowledgment between them. Osaka queried the reason for the cold exchange, to which Cirstea attributed her displeasure to Osaka’s on-court vocalizations intended to motivate herself, a dynamic Osaka downplayed, suggesting it was influenced by it potentially being Cirstea's last Australian Open appearance.
Osaka is a two-time Australian Open champion, having claimed the title in 2019 and 2021. Her other Grand Slam victories include the U.S. Open in 2018 and 2020, underscored by her notable win over Serena Williams in the 2018 final. Seeded 16th this year, her third-round opponent, Maddison Inglis, ranked 168th, will now move forward to contest against second-seeded Iga Świątek—who secured a three-set victory over Anna Kalinskaya on the same day.
Świątek, upon learning of Osaka’s withdrawal during a post-match interview, expressed well wishes and remarked positively on Osaka’s form leading up to the withdrawal. Świątek is aiming to complete a career Grand Slam in Melbourne, and addressed the home crowd with a lighthearted comment hoping for their support should she face an Australian competitor going forward.