Naomi Osaka’s Australian Open journey was cut short on Friday as she retired with a stomach injury during her third-round match against Belinda Bencic.
Osaka, a two-time Australian Open champion, needed treatment on her stomach at 6-5 in the first set.
Despite her confident mood before the tournament, Osaka’s injury issues resurfaced. “I’m pretty optimistic about playing my match. I mean, for sure, I’m going to play my match,” she had said earlier.
Osaka’s match against Bencic began promisingly, with the Japanese star leading 5-2 in the first set. However, her movement and serve became hampered, allowing Bencic to draw level and take it to a tiebreaker, which she won 7-3.
Osaka couldn’t continue and left John Cain Arena waving to fans. “It’s not the way you want this match to end. I thought it was getting to be a good match,” Bencic said. “Hopefully, she will be fine soon and can play well for the rest of this year.“
A sad ending to a great contest.
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 17, 2025
Naomi Osaka is forced to retire against Bencic.
We wish you a speedy recovery, and we can't wait to see you back on the court soon, Naomi 💙#AusOpen • #AO2025 pic.twitter.com/HeWQA07Jg2
Bencic will face either American third seed Coco Gauff or Canada’s Leylah Fernandez in the fourth round. Osaka’s retirement marks her earliest exit from the Australian Open since 2016.
It’s the second time this month that the pretty player has withdrawn from a game. On January 8, Osaka abruptly withdrew from the Auckland Classic final, where she was playing her first WTA final in three years against Denmark’s Clara Tauson.
She suddenly called for the physio and performed a series of stretches during a medical timeout, then later quit, shaking Tauson’s hands and conceding the match.
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