Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from the Australian Open just hours before her scheduled third-round match, bringing an abrupt end to what had been a closely watched comeback run in Melbourne.
The two-time champion
was due to face Australia's Maddison Inglis, a matchup that appeared favourable on paper and offered Osaka a realistic path into the second week. Instead, she made the call to stop, a decision rooted in injury rather than form.
What happened to Naomi Osaka?
Speaking after her withdrawal, Osaka explained that the issue escalated during her pre-match warm-up.
Two-time champion Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from the Australian Open due to injury 🎾❌
She was scheduled to play Maddison Inglis in the third round later today. pic.twitter.com/H89hbPuBTK- BBC Sport (@BBCSport) January 24, 2026
She revealed that the injury was not new, but something she had experienced before. Osaka said, "It's an injury I've had a couple of times before, and I thought I could push through it. I played my last match with some pain, and I thought maybe if I gave myself a break before my match today, I would be able to handle it, but I warmed up, and it got a lot worse. "
Crucially, Osaka did not specify an exact diagnosis, but acknowledged that further medical tests are needed to understand the severity and cause of the problem.
Naomi Osaka adjusting post-pregnancy
Osaka also placed the injury in the broader context of her physical transition after pregnancy, an important detail in understanding the caution and timing of her decision. " I think coming back from pregnancy, my body changed quite a lot. So this is something I have to be really cautious of," she stated.
Rather than risk aggravating the injury, Osaka chose to step away early in the tournament. That caution reflects a long-term mindset: protecting availability across the season rather than pushing through a single Grand Slam.
Why this hurts Osaka's comeback
From a competitive standpoint, the withdrawal is a disappointment. Osaka had already come through two demanding three-set matches and, by her own admission, felt physically strong in terms of conditioning and match fitness.
Her Australian Open run also came amid heightened attention following a first-round outfit that sparked conversation, a tense post-match exchange with Sorana Cirstea. None of that, however, factored into the withdrawal itself.
In fact, Osaka stressed that, aside from the abdominal issue, she felt healthy and encouraged by how her tennis was progressing.
Where this leaves Osaka in 2026
Osaka's exit means her Australian Open results now mirror 2025, with a third-round finish. But the larger takeaway is more positive than the headline suggests.
She has played extended matches, tested her body under Grand Slam intensity, and come away without systemic fitness concerns. The injury, while frustrating, appears localised rather than structural.
Osaka herself framed it that way: "Yeah, I'm just grateful to be otherwise very healthy, and I hope that I'm able to play some good tennis for the rest of the year. "
In that sense, the withdrawal is less a setback and more a reminder of where she is in her comeback journey: competitive again, but still learning how far and when to push.
