ChrisTwo-time Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka retired with an injury during her third-round match against Belinda Bencic on Friday in Melbourne.
Osaka needed treatment on her stomach at 6-5 in a first set which she went on to lose on a tiebreak to her Swiss opponent, before shaking hands and leaving the court.
Osaka had a troubled build-up to the first Grand Slam of the year, retiring from the final in Auckland with an abdominal injury.
The Japanese star also revealed last week that she and her rapper boyfriend Cordae, the father of her daughter Shai, had split
up.
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Injury forces Naomi Osaka out of Australian Open, Bencic advances
17th January 2025
TENNIS-AUS-OPEN
Japan’s Naomi Osaka speaks at a press conference after her women’s singles match against Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic on day six of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 17, 2025. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP)
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Two-time Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka retired with an injury during her third-round match against Belinda Bencic on Friday in Melbourne.
Osaka needed treatment on her stomach at 6-5 in a first set which she went on to lose on a tiebreak to her Swiss opponent, before shaking hands and leaving the court.
Osaka had a troubled build-up to the first Grand Slam of the year, retiring from the final in Auckland with an abdominal injury.
The Japanese star also revealed last week that she and her rapper boyfriend Cordae, the father of her daughter Shai, had split up.
But the former world number one came to Melbourne in confident mood, saying that her injury was improving.
“I’m pretty optimistic about playing my match. I mean, for sure I’m going to play my match,” she said before the start of the tournament.
“I’ve been practising pretty well for the two days that I’ve been here, so it seems to be going good.”
