Naomi Osaka, a two-time Australian Open champion, faced a significant setback at the 2025 tournament, being forced to retire from her third-round match against Belinda Bencic due to an abdominal injury. This incident marks the first time in her career that Osaka has withdrawn from a Grand Slam match, highlighting the severity of her condition. ([bbc.com](https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/articles/cp9xxy85z0yo?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
Osaka began the match on John Cain Arena with a strong performance, quickly establishing a 5-2 lead in the first set. However, as the set progressed, she exhibited visible discomfort, prompting a medical timeout at 6-5 to receive treatment for her abdominal strain. Despite her efforts to continue, she lost the set in a tiebreak and subsequently decided to retire from the match after 58 minutes on court. ([abc.net.au](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-01-17/australian-open-naomi-osaka-forced-out-with-injury/104831986?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
This injury is not an isolated incident for Osaka. Prior to the Australian Open, she withdrew from the final of the Auckland Open due to the same abdominal issue. Reflecting on her condition, Osaka mentioned, “I kind of have a history of it since I was a teenager… At least once a year I’d get an ab strain… I think for me I want to say it’s more like the way my serve is. It’s quite explosive.” ([abc.net.au](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-01-17/australian-open-naomi-osaka-forced-out-with-injury/104831986?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
The timing of this injury is particularly unfortunate, as Osaka was making a notable comeback to Grand Slam tennis after giving birth to her daughter, Shai, in July 2023. Her journey back to competitive form had been promising, with impressive victories in the earlier rounds at Melbourne Park, including a three-set win over France’s Caroline Garcia and a hard-fought match against 20th seed Karolina Muchova. ([bbc.com](https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/articles/cp9xxy85z0yo?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
Despite the setback, Osaka remains optimistic about her recovery. She emphasized her commitment to rehabilitation, stating that she was undergoing therapy daily and into the night to manage her condition. Looking ahead, Osaka aims to return to the tour by March, with hopes of competing in upcoming tournaments, including the French Open in May. ([abc.net.au](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-01-17/australian-open-naomi-osaka-forced-out-with-injury/104831986?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
The tennis community has rallied around Osaka during this challenging time. Belinda Bencic, who advanced due to Osaka’s retirement, expressed her empathy, saying, “I really feel for Naomi. I saw her struggling a bit in the end of the set. It’s not the way you want the match to end.” ([bbc.com](https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/articles/cp9xxy85z0yo?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
As Osaka focuses on her recovery, fans and fellow athletes alike are hopeful for her swift return to full health and competitive play. Her resilience and determination have been evident throughout her career, and many believe she will overcome this hurdle as she has with previous challenges.
– [talksport.com](https://talksport.com/tennis/2757671/naomi-osaka-career-first-australian-open/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
– [reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/tennis/sabalenka-through-fourth-round-australian-open-after-tough-battle-2025-01-17/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
– [theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2025/jan/17/australian-open-tennis-2025-live-updates-ao-day-6-sabalenka-alcaraz-zverev-scores-results-latest?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
