Naomi Osaka Withdraws from Australian Open
Naomi Osaka has officially withdrawn from the Australian Open, just prior to her match in the third round against Maddison Inglis, an Australian qualifier. This decision was shared by Osaka through her social media channels, where she noted the necessity to withdraw due to a physical issue that requires her attention following her last match.
“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.”
Tournament Highlights
Earlier in the tournament, Osaka had garnered significant attention for her unique entrance, adorned in a wide-brim hat, a veil, and carrying a white parasol — a design enabled by her sponsor, Nike. Her first match concluded in a victorious yet intense atmosphere, where she faced off against Sorana Cirstea in a closely contested match that ended with scores of 6-3, 4-6, 6-2, held at the iconic Margaret Court Arena.
That match was marked by palpable tension, leading to an awkward moment post-match when Osaka and Cirstea barely exchanged pleasantries at the net, with a quick glance exchanged before Cirstea turned away. It appeared that Cirstea was not pleased with Osaka’s vocal encouragement during the match, prompting Osaka to inquire, “What was that for?”
“Apparently a lot of ‘C’mons’ that she was angry about. But whatever. I think this was her last Australian Open so, OK, sorry she was mad about it.”
Significance of Osaka’s Withdrawal
Osaka’s withdrawal is a significant topic as she is not only a two-time winner of the Australian Open but also a notable figure in sports whose presence in the tournament attracted considerable media and fan attention.
