Naomi Osaka withdraws from Australian Open

Naomi Osaka announced that she’s withdrawn from the Australian Open due to injury, calling it heartbreaking

Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from the Australian Open ahead of her scheduled third-round match, and she took to her Instagram story to explain the decision to fans. The four-time major champion confirmed she is stepping away from the tournament to address a physical issue that flared up after her last match, emphasising that she cannot risk further damage to her body.

In her statement, Osaka wrote that she had been “so excited to keep going” and that the run in Melbourne “meant the most to me,” but that having to stop “breaks my heart.” She added that she’s withdrawing so she can recover properly and “get back on the court,” and thanked everyone for their support, as well as her team and the tournament organisers for their kindness.

Osaka’s withdrawal hands a walkover into the fourth round to her would-be opponent, Australian qualifier Maddison Inglis, and brings an end to her 2026 campaign. As a two-time Australian Open champion and one of the sport’s biggest stars, her decision highlights how important managing her health is after recent abdominal injury concerns.