Naomi Osaka has pulled out of the Australian Open just before her third-round match. The 16th seed was set to compete against Maddison Inglis on Rod Laver Arena, but due to a physical issue that needs attention following her previous match, she has decided to withdraw. Osaka expressed her disappointment on Instagram, mentioning that she was looking forward to continuing her run in the tournament but couldn’t risk aggravating her condition any further.
Acknowledging the support she received, Osaka thanked her fans and team for their backing. She explained to the media that the injury was something she had experienced before and thought she could manage it, but the pain worsened during warm-up. She emphasized the need for caution, especially considering changes in her body post-pregnancy.
Having previously withdrawn from her last tournament in Japan due to injury, Osaka has faced challenges in her recent matches. Despite starting the year representing Japan in the United Cup, she struggled with health issues, impacting her performance in matches against Maria Sakkari and Katie Swan. Osaka remains focused on her recovery and taking each day and match as it comes.
This marks a setback for Osaka, who had high hopes for her performance in Melbourne. Her dedication to addressing her health and well-being highlights the importance of prioritizing self-care in professional sports.