In a shocking development, former world number one and two-time Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from her third-round match at the tournament. The 28-year-old Japanese player cited a left abdominal injury as the reason for her withdrawal, which came just hours before she was set to take the court against Australian qualifier Maddi son Inglis.
Osaka, who was seeded 16th, took to Instagram to announce her decision, expressing her disappointment at having to end her run at the event. “I’ve had to make the difficult decision to withdraw to address something my body needs attention for after my last match,” she wrote. “I was so excited to keep going and this run meant the most to me, so having to stop here breaks my heart but I can’t risk doing any further damage so I can get back on the court.”
Inglis, ranked 168th in the world, will now advance to the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time in her career. The Australian qualifier had to go through three qualifying rounds to reach the main draw, having been overlooked for a wildcard by Tennis Australia. She will now face either second-seed Iga Swiatek of Poland or 31st-seed Anna Kalinskaya of Russia for a spot in the quarter-finals.
Osaka’s withdrawal is a significant blow to the tournament, as the four-time Grand Slam champion was widely expected to mount a strong challenge for the title. Her decision to prioritise her health and avoid further injury, however, is a testament to her maturity and commitment to her long-term career.
The Australian Open continues to unfold, with several high-profile players still in contention for the coveted trophy. Fans and pundits alike will be closely following the developments as the tournament progresses, eager to see who will emerge victorious in the end.
