Naomi Osaka Withdraws from Australian Open Due to Post-Pregnancy Abdominal Injury
In a disappointing turn of events, two-time Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from the first Grand Slam of the year, citing an abdominal injury that she attributes to her recent pregnancy. The announcement came via an Instagram post on Saturday, just before her scheduled match against Inglis on Rod Laver Arena.
Injury History and Current Setback
Osaka revealed that this is not the first time she has experienced such abdominal pain, stating she had encountered it "a couple of times" in the past. Despite this, she initially believed she could push through the discomfort. "I thought I could push through it," she said, expressing her determination to compete. However, after warming up for her match, the pain intensified significantly, forcing her to make the difficult decision to withdraw.
She explained, "I played my last match with some pain and I thought maybe if I gave myself a break before my match today, I would be able to handle it. But I warmed up and it got a lot worse." This setback comes as Osaka, now 28 years old and one of only three mothers ranked in the women's top 20, navigates the physical changes post-pregnancy. "I definitely have to do more tests and coming back from pregnancy, my body changed quite a lot. This is something I have to be really cautious of," she added, highlighting the need for careful management of her health.
Recurring Abdominal Issues
This withdrawal marks the second consecutive year that Osaka has faced abdominal problems at the Australian Open. Last year, she retired during her third-round match against Belinda Bencic after just one set, underscoring a persistent challenge in her career. The recurrence of this injury has raised concerns about her long-term fitness and ability to compete at the highest level.
Osaka expressed her heartbreak over the situation, saying, "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." She also extended her gratitude to her team and the tournament organizers for their support during this tough time.
Recent Performance and Highlights
Despite the injury, Osaka had shown promising form in the tournament. She made headlines with her jellyfish-inspired outfit in the first round, capturing the attention of fans and media alike. In her recent matches, she engaged in a heated faceoff with Sorana Cirstea over fair play issues, adding drama to her campaign.
Reflecting on her performance, Osaka noted, "It was nice everyone enjoyed my outfit, but also, I enjoyed playing here. I played two three-set matches and I felt really physically healthy. I guess, not my ab, but just fitness-wise it felt really good. I’m just grateful to be otherwise very healthy, and I hope that I’m able to play some good tennis for the rest of the year." This positive outlook suggests her determination to return stronger, pending medical evaluations and recovery.
As the World No. 16, Osaka's withdrawal is a significant loss for the Australian Open, but her focus remains on ensuring a full recovery to avoid further complications. Fans and the tennis community will be eagerly awaiting updates on her condition and potential return to the court in future tournaments.
