Naomi Osaka Steps Away from the Australian Open, Citing Injury
By Alexus Mosley
Photo Credit/Getty Images
Naomi Osaka has announced her withdrawal from the 2026 Australian Open following an injury sustained during her recent match, sharing the emotional update with fans on Instagram.
The four-time Grand Slam champion, 28, revealed on Saturday, Jan. 24, that she made the difficult decision to step away from the tournament after experiencing what she described as “damage” during her match against Romanian player Sorana Cîrstea. Osaka won that match on Thursday, Jan. 22, with scores of 6–3, 4–6, 6–2, but later expressed concern about pushing her body too far.
“I’ve had to make the difficult decision to withdraw to address something my body needs attention for after my last match,” Osaka wrote in her Instagram Stories. “I was so excited to keep going, and this one meant the most to me, so having to stop here breaks my heart, but I can’t risk doing any further damage, so I can get back on the court.”
Osaka also took a moment to thank fans and supporters who rallied behind her during the tournament, adding, “I’m so grateful everyone embraced me so much.”
Her withdrawal came just hours before she was scheduled to play her third-round match against Australian qualifier Maddison Inglis.
Osaka’s decision reflects a growing emphasis on athlete health and longevity, particularly after her highly anticipated return to the sport. While the news is disappointing for fans eager to see her continue her run at the Open, the tennis star’s message made one thing clear: protecting her body now is essential to returning stronger later.