Naomi Osaka’s comeback to tennis hit a roadblock on Sunday as she withdrew from the Auckland Classic final due to an abdominal injury.
The four-time Grand Slam champion was competing in her first WTA final in three years against Denmark’s Clara Tauson.
Osaka took the opening set 6-4, showcasing her powerful groundstrokes, but called for the physio during the changeover.
After a medical timeout, she decided to pull out of the match, handing Tauson her third career title.
The sudden withdrawal came as a surprise, as Osaka showed no signs of injury during the opening set.
In a courtside interview, she did not reveal the details of her injury but expressed her gratitude to the tournament organizers and fans.
The WTA later confirmed that Osaka retired due to an abdominal injury. This setback comes just a week before the Australian Open, where Osaka is a former champion.
She has been working her way back up the rankings after taking a break from tennis and giving birth to her first child in 2023.
Osaka’s return to tennis has been promising, with her ranking climbing to 57th in the world. However, this injury may impact her preparations for the Australian Open.
Fans will be hoping that Osaka can recover quickly and get back to competing at her best level.
Tauson, meanwhile, celebrated her first title since 2021 and her third career WTA title. She acknowledged Osaka’s withdrawal and expressed her respect for her opponent.
The Auckland Classic final may not have ended as expected, but it marked an important milestone for Tauson, who will look to carry this momentum into the Australian Open.
