Japan’s Naomi Osaka has become a major doubt for the Australian Open after retiring from the final of the Auckland Classic due to an abdominal injury.
The four-time Grand Slam champion was competing in her first WTA final in three years against Denmark’s Clara Tauson.Osaka took the first set 6-4, displaying powerful groundstrokes and breaking Tauson’s serve in the third and fifth games.
However, during the changeover, she requested a medical timeout and performed stretches before consulting with the physiotherapist. Shortly after, she shook Tauson’s hand, conceding the match and handing the 21-year-old Dane her third career title and first since 2021.
The 27-year-old Osaka’s injury raises concerns just a week before the start of the Australian Open.
Neither Osaka nor her team provided details about the injury or its prognosis, leaving fans and tennis enthusiasts in suspense about her participation in the season’s first Grand Slam.
This sudden setback comes after a promising start in Auckland, making her withdrawal a significant disappointment ahead of the Australian Open.
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