Osaka has struggled with form and injuries since returning from maternity leave last year and was eliminated from the first round of the 2024 Australian Open. She later suffered second-round exits at the French Open, Wimbledon and US Open.
The two-time Australian Open champion hired Patrick Mouratoglou, who has formerly coached Serena Williams, in September 2024, and made a great start to the current season at the ASB Classic before her injury in the final. The 27-year-old secured impressive victories over Caroline Garcia and Karolína Muchova in the first and second rounds of the ongoing Australian Open before another injury heartbreak on Friday.