Osaka, visibly struggling with her movement throughout the match, retired after dropping the first set 7-6 (3). The four-time Grand Slam champion, who has expressed her desire to make a triumphant return as a mother, was visibly emotional as her Australian Open journey came to an abrupt end.
The 27-year-old later revealed that she had been battling the injury since the start of the season, with her condition worsening after a grueling second-round victory over Karolina Muchova.
Osaka, visibly struggling with her movement throughout the match, retired after dropping the first set 7-6 (3). The four-time Grand Slam champion, who has expressed her desire to make a triumphant return as a mother, was visibly emotional as her Australian Open journey came to an abrupt end.
The 27-year-old later revealed that she had been battling the injury since the start of the season, with her condition worsening after a grueling second-round victory over Karolina Muchova.
