Naomi Osaka's hopes of winning her first title in four years ended abruptly in Auckland when she retired from the final against Clara Tauson due to an abdominal strain. The former world No. 1, who is aiming for a third Australian Open title, showed glimpses of her best form in the opening set but was forced to withdraw before the second set, raising concerns about her fitness for the upcoming Australian Open.
Two-time Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka is in doubt for the Melbourne major after her quest for a first title in four years ended in heartbreak in Auckland. The former world No.1 retired with an abdominal strain after winning the opening set of the Auckland Classic final against Denmark’s Clara Tauson.
Osaka, who won the last of her four grand slam trophies at Melbourne Park in 2021, returned to the circuit a year ago after a long maternity break but struggled for consistency and ended the season ranked outside the top 50. She showed glimpses of just how devastating she can be in Auckland on Sunday and grabbed a double break against Tauson with powerful hitting on both flanks in the opening set, which she wrapped up 6-4, despite dropping serve late on. But the 27-year-old from Japan had tears in her eyes as she received treatment on court before the start of the next set and then threw in the towel, sparking concern about her fitness for this month’s Australian Open starting on January 12. “Very sad scenes in Auckland as Naomi Osaka retires from the final after winning the first set vs Clara Tauson,” prominent tennis reporter Jose Morgado said. “Looks like something at lower back/abdominal. “Naomi in tears. Hope it’s nothing too serious and just prevention for the AO. But doesn’t look good.” It was the second injury-related retirement for Osaka in as many tournaments. She suffered a back injury at the China Open in October, retiring against Coco Gauff in the round of 16, and that problem put a premature end to her 2024 comeback. “I just want to thank everyone for welcoming me to such a beautiful city,” Osaka said on Sunday, having last played in Auckland in 2017. “I had a lot of fun playing here, and I’m really sorry about how it ended. I hope you enjoyed the tennis that we did play, and I’m just really grateful to be here.” Osaka was playing in her first final since 2022, while Tauson had waited even longer, contesting her first tour-level final since 202
NAOMI OSAKA ABDOMINAL STRAIN AUSTRALIAN OPEN AUCKLAND CLASSIC INJURY
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