Naomi Osaka’s 2025 Australian Open journey came to an unfortunate and premature end in the third round after she was forced to retire due to a recurrence of an abdominal injury. Osaka, who had been struggling with the injury in recent weeks, was facing Belinda Bencic when she began to experience pain during the match. Although she initially held a 5-2 lead in the first set, Osaka’s discomfort became too much to bear, prompting her to call for a physiotherapist during a changeover.
Despite receiving treatment, Osaka’s movement appeared hindered, and she was unable to continue, ultimately losing the set in a tiebreaker. She then made the difficult decision to retire from the match, marking a disappointing end to her Australian Open campaign. This injury marks a recurring issue for Osaka, who had already withdrawn from the final of the Auckland Open earlier in the season due to a similar abdominal problem.
In her absence, Bencic advanced to the fourth round, but the Swiss player expressed genuine sympathy for Osaka. “I really feel for Naomi, I saw her struggling a little bit at the end of the set and obviously it’s not the way you would like this match to end,” Bencic said, acknowledging the physical toll that injuries can take on athletes.
Osaka’s retirement from this match marks the first time in her career that she has been forced to retire in a Grand Slam singles match, underscoring the seriousness of her injury. Fans and analysts alike were left questioning the impact this recurring issue could have on her future performance and participation in upcoming events.
The 2025 Australian Open was seen as a potential comeback for Osaka, who had struggled with form and fitness in previous seasons. With this injury setback, there are growing concerns about whether she will be able to compete at full strength for the remainder of the year, including upcoming tournaments such as the French Open in May. As the tennis world watches closely, Osaka’s recovery and future on the court will be closely monitored, with hopes that she can return to her best form once she fully heals from this injury.
This retirement, while disappointing, only adds to the challenges Osaka faces as she works to recover and regain her competitive edge in the world of tennis.
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