- Former world number one Naomi Osaka is out of the ongoing Australian Open after sustaining an abdominal injury
- Osaka started her 2025 season on a high note by reaching the final of Auckland Classic, where she was forced to retire due to an abdominal injury
Former world number one Naomi Osaka is out of the ongoing Australian Open after sustaining an abdominal injury. Osaka, who was hoping to reach the fourth round of the major, was forced to withdraw on Friday morning while playing against Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic.
The Japanese started the match on a high note, storming to a 4-1 lead in the first set. However, she appeared to be struggling with an abdominal injury, prompting her to call for the physio during a changeover while leading 6-5. Bencic overturned the match after dominating the tie break and went on to secure a 7 – 6(3) win.

Naomi Osaka leaves the court after retiring from the Australian Open in 2025 due to injury during her clash against Belinda Bencic. Photo/ The Japan Times.
Despite receiving treatment, Osaka decided to call it a day before the start of the second set, exiting the tournament. The 27-year-old’s withdrawal allowed Bencic to proceed to the fourth round of the Australian Open which is her previous best in the major.
Speaking after the clash, the Swiss said she felt for her opponent and hopes she recovers soon to play the rest of the season.
“I really feel for Naomi, I saw her struggling a little bit at the end of the set and obviously it’s not the way you would like this match to end. I thought it was a good match so hopefully she’ll be fine soon and she can play well for the rest of the season.” Belinda Bencic is quoted by the website Firstpost.
Naomi Osaka, who is one of the most talented players of her generation, has won four Grand Slams since turning professional. The 27-year-old clinched her last major in 2021 at the Australian Open, but has since had a difficult time. Apart from the injuries, she has stayed out of action in recent years due to mental struggles and maternity leave.
Osaka gave birth to her first child, a daughter named Shai, in June 2023. She returned to professional tennis six months later and competed in her first Grand Slam at the 2024 Australian Open, where she was eliminated in the first round. Her 2024 campaign didn’t go as planned as she also exited French Open, Wimbledon and Flushing Meadows in the second round.
Osaka started her 2025 season on a high note by reaching the final of Auckland Classic, where she was forced to retire due to an abdominal injury. She has impressed in Melbourne this week, recording victory against Caroline Garcia in the first round before beating Karolina Muchova in the second round.
Emma Raducanu To Face Iga Swiatek
One of the highly anticipated matches of the Australian Open 2025 will be taking place on Saturday as world number two Iga Swiatek clashes with Emma Raducanu.
Swiatek has maintained her solid performance so far and recently wowed fans with an amazing display over Rebecca Sramkova, who won just three games in their second-round match.
Now, the 2024 French Open winner is set to face a rejuvenated Emma Raducanu in the third round of the Australian Open on Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne. Raducanu, who caught the attention of tennis fans as a teenager when she clinched the US Open at the age of 18, has made it to the third round of the Australian Open for the first time in her career.

Emma Raducanu will face Iga Swiatek in the third round of the Australian Open. Photo/ Mashable.
Raducanu, who has lost all of her previous three clashes with Swiatek, will be aiming to record her first win against the Pole on Saturday. The two last faced each other in 2024 at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, with Swiatek recording victory in straight sets.