New Delhi: Naomi Osaka of Japan retired hurt from the Australian Open 2025 during her third-round clash against Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic on Friday. The former world number one lost the first set in tie break 6-7 (3-7) and then pulled out due to discomfort in her stomach.
The two-time Australian Open champion was treated by her trainer on her stomach at 6-5 in the first set. She resumed after receiving treatment but went on to lose on a tie break, before shaking hands and leaving the court in disappointment. Osaka was visited by a trainer during the changeover when she was leading 6-5. After examining Osaka’s abdominal area, the trainer gave her a pill and play resumed.
Osaka was troubled by the abdominal injury she picked up in Auckland midway through the set. The injury, in the end, finished her Australian Open campaign. The four-time Major champion began the season by making it to the final of a tournament at Auckland earlier this month, but she pulled out midway through the title match because of an abdominal injury.
Osaka suffers painful exit
Osaka was cruising midway through the set off the back of a dominant first serve but failed to continue with the same intensity, looking less and less comfortable. Her fate was sealed after Bencic rallied back and took the opening set.
Following the painful exit, Osaka was consoled by Bencic on the sideline before the Japanese left the court to a warm applause. Osaka won the Australian Open in 2019 and 2021, and the U.S. Open in 2018 and 2020 but has struggled to stay match-fit in the last few years.
“Hopefully she’ll be fine soon and be able to play the rest of the season,” said Bencic, who won a singles gold medal for Switzerland at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
Bencic, who is also a mother, drew a heart on the lens of a courtside TV camera and wrote: “Get well soon Mama.”
Australian Open: Naomi Osaka was cruising midway through the set off the back of a dominant first serve but failed to continue with the same intensity, looking less and less comfortable. Tennis Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
