by Naomi Osaka could be struggling with a significant injury, a few weeks before the Australian Open 2025.
The former world number one and quadruple champion of the Grand Chelem withdrew from the WTA Auckland Open final, the last development before the Australian Open, due to an apparent medical problem on Sunday. She led the Danish Clara Tauson 6-4 before her release left Tournament Champion.
Before it withdraws, Osaka received the attention of sports coaches for its abdomen, which was apparently the problem. According to Ben Rothenberg, an experienced tennis journalist and Osaka biographer, she had tears in her eyes when she called a trainer.
The problem is a major obstacle for Osaka, which has played its first final since the Miami 2022 Open. She returned to tennis in 2024 after a year -long interruption after the birth of her first child, but reached the quarter quarters final of a single tournament and has not exceeded the second round of any big slam.
Her year 2024 ended after she withdrew from the China Open due to a back injury when she was equal in sets with Coco Gauff.
We do not know if this problem will affect the availability of Gauff for the Australian Open. The simple draw in Melbourne is scheduled for next Thursday, the first round starting three days later Sunday.
