Naomi Osaka may be dealing with a signifcant injury, with the 2025 Australian Open nearly a week away.
The former world No. 1 and four-time Grand Slam champion retired from the final of the WTA Auckland Open, the last tune-up before the Australian Open, with an apparent medical issue on Sunday. She had been leading Denmark's Clara Tauson 6-4, but her exit left Tauson as the tournament's champion.
Sad scenes in Auckland 😢
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) January 5, 2025
Naomi Osaka is forced to retire due to injury after winning the opening set of the final.
Clara Tauson wins the title as a result. 🏆#ASBClassic pic.twitter.com/t73XUZnrJs
Before her withdrawal, Osaka was receiving attention from trainers for her abdomen, which was apparently the issue. Per veteran tennis journalist and Osaka biographer Ben Rothenberg, she was teary-eyed when calling for a trainer.
