by Ann Brown
January 24, 2026
‘I’ve needed to make the troublesome resolution to withdraw to deal with one thing my physique wants consideration for after my final match,’ stated Osaka.
Former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from the Australian Open on account of an belly damage, ending her 2026 run earlier than her scheduled third-round match in Melbourne.
Event officers confirmed that Osaka pulled out hours earlier than she was set to face Australian qualifier Maddison Inglis at Rod Laver Enviornment, ESPN studies. The 28-year-old later indicated that the damage 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 court docket earlier than returning to complete the encounter. The problem worsened throughout warmups forward of her third-round match, prompting the choice to withdraw relatively than threat additional damage. The situation was described as a left belly subject, just like accidents she has handled earlier in her profession.
Osaka is a two-time Australian Open champion having gained the title in 2019 and 2021. Osaka returned to full-time competitors in 2024 after taking a 15-month break from tennis following the delivery of her daughter, Shai, in July 2023.
Her second-round match in opposition to Cîrstea additionally drew consideration for a tense post-match trade. Osaka in the end prevailed in three units, Fox Information studies.
With Osaka out, Inglis superior by walkover and moved on to face world No. 2 Iga Świątek within the fourth spherical.
RELATED CONTENT: Audacity At The Australian Open: Naomi Osaka Wins The Match & The Battle In opposition to Pressured Silence By Her Opponent
