Naomi Osaka withdraws from the Auckland Classic final due to abdominal injury, just before the Australian Open

In a cruel twist of fate, Naomi Osaka was forced to retire from the Auckland Classic final on 5 January 2025 after a devastating abdominal injury, throwing her preparations for the Australian Open into disarray. The four-time Grand Slam champion had been in top form, taking the opening set 6-4 against Clara Tauson of Denmark, but the injury left her unable to continue.

This withdrawal, coming just a week before the Australian Open, marks yet another setback for Osaka, who had been making her long-awaited return to tennis after a three-year absence from WTA finals. For the 27-year-old, this was meant to be a comeback story—chasing her first title in four years, a feat that seemed entirely within reach after her commanding performance in the opening set.

The match had started with a sense of optimism for Osaka, who appeared to be in control. She broke Tauson’s serve in both the third and fifth games, firing off powerful groundstrokes and moving confidently around the court. It was the type of performance that fans had hoped to see from Osaka—intense, composed, and reminiscent of her dominant days on the court.

But the promising start took an unexpected turn during the changeover, when Osaka appeared to experience discomfort. She immediately called for the physio and was seen stretching and performing light exercises in a bid to alleviate the pain. The crowd remained hopeful, believing that the injury might be minor, but the uncertainty hanging over the match grew palpable.

After consulting with her trainer, Osaka ultimately made the heartbreaking decision to retire from the match, handing Clara Tauson her third career title and first since 2021. The unexpected and abrupt end to the final was a tough pill for both Osaka and her supporters to swallow. In a brief courtside interview, she refrained from providing further details about the injury but confirmed that it was severe enough to prevent her from continuing.

This injury comes at a particularly painful time for Osaka, as the Australian Open looms large. Having struggled with mental health challenges and injury issues in the past, Osaka’s return to the court this season had been highly anticipated. Fans and pundits alike had been hoping for a strong run at the first Grand Slam of 2025, but now her participation in the tournament is uncertain.

The abdominal strain that led to her withdrawal is an all-too-familiar blow for professional athletes, as it can sideline competitors for weeks or longer, depending on the severity. Though the details of the injury remain unclear, its timing could not be worse. With the Australian Open starting in just days, Osaka faces a difficult road ahead, both physically and mentally.

Despite the setback, Osaka’s decision to retire gracefully from the match and her sportsmanship in shaking Tauson’s hand left an impression on the crowd. Tauson, who had been on the receiving end of Osaka’s powerful strokes, was naturally disappointed by the abrupt end but will likely remember the victory for years to come.

For Osaka, though, the path forward is uncertain. Her goal of regaining her former glory in tennis was within reach after an impressive start to the year, but this injury now threatens to derail her momentum before it even truly began. With the Australian Open just around the corner, all eyes will now be on Osaka to see if she can recover in time for the season’s first Grand Slam, or if her journey back to the top will face an even steeper challenge.