- Naomi Osaka withdrew from the Australian Open before her third-round match due to a left abdominal injury.
- Osaka announced the decision on social media, saying the choice “breaks my heart.”
- She required a medical timeout in the second round and has managed abdominal trouble since 2025.
- Australian qualifier Madison Inglis advances and will face Iga Świątek or Anna Kalinskaya next.
Osaka pulls out hours before scheduled match
MELBOURNE — Two-time Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka withdrew from the tournament on Jan. 24, announcing she would not play her scheduled third-round match against Australian qualifier Madison Inglis because of a left abdominal injury.
In a social media statement Osaka wrote that the decision “breaks my heart” and added she did not want to risk further damage. “I’ve had to make the difficult decision to withdraw to address something my body needs attention for after my last match,” she said.
Injury history and recent signs
Osaka, a four-time major winner currently ranked No. 17, required a medical timeout during her second-round win over Sorana Cîrstea, which she closed out in three sets. After that match she acknowledged the issue and hinted at ongoing trouble.
She managed an abdominal problem through much of 2025, and at last year’s Australian Open the injury forced her to retire after the first set of a third-round match against Belinda Bencic. Those earlier struggles factored into the decision to stop this year’s run early.
What this means for the draw
With Osaka’s withdrawal, Inglis moves into the fourth round. Inglis will face either the tournament’s No. 2 seed, Iga Świątek, or No. 31 seed Anna Kalinskaya, depending on which player wins their upcoming match.
The late withdrawal reshapes the top half of the women’s draw and gives Inglis a high-profile opportunity deep in Melbourne.
Osaka’s statement and reaction
Osaka thanked fans for their support and wrote that this particular run “meant the most to me,” underscoring how difficult the choice was. Team members and tournament medical staff recommended she avoid playing until the issue can be properly treated.
Support poured in on social platforms from fans and fellow players, many wishing her a full recovery and expressing disappointment that the tournament would lose one of its former champions.
Looking ahead
Osaka’s immediate focus will be on recovery and medical care. Her withdrawal is the latest reminder of how injuries can affect even the sport’s top players and alter Grand Slam narratives at a moment’s notice.
The Australian Open continues in Melbourne, with Inglis advancing and the rest of the field adjusting to the change in the draw.
Image Referance: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6995530/2026/01/24/naomi-osaka-australian-open-out/