Naomi Osaka, a two-time champion, has officially withdrawn from the Australian Open, adding to the growing list of notable withdrawals.
Osaka has not played since September and was a long shot to make her comeback at Melbourne Park after uploading photographs on social media last week from her European vacation with her boyfriend, the American rapper Cordae.
Naomi Osaka has pulled out of the Australian Open. We’ll miss her at #AO2023,” tweeted Open officials on Sunday.
Osaka, the 2019 and 2021 champion at Melbourne Park, saw the Mona Lisa and attended concerts before returning to her Los Angeles base last week with little indication of Open preparation.
The 25-year-nonappearance olds in Melbourne will increase the likelihood that the four-time grand slam champion will never return to the tennis court. Osaka took a mental health vacation following her withdrawal from the 2021 French Open. And later said she had been battling depression and anxiety for years.
The Japanese player, who has fallen to 47th in the WTA rankings, has not competed. Since retiring from the second round in Tokyo last September due to abdominal issues and has won only one completed match since May.
Naomi Osaka worries about AO withdrawal
The former world No. 1 has been eliminated in the first round of her last three tournaments. Including the US Open, which she has won twice. Osaka’s most recent victory came after only one match against Daria Saville in Tokyo. When the Australian suffered a torn ACL.
Open organizers are already suffering from the retirements of defending women’s champion Ash Barty and legends Serena Williams. And Roger Federer from last year’s tournament.
The men’s world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz withdrew on Saturday with a hamstring injury. And Serena’s sister Venus, a seven-time grand slam champion, returned her wildcard after getting injured while practicing in Auckland.
Simona Halep, a former Melbourne Park finalist and a long-time No. 1 player, is also not competing this year. In Osaka’s absence, the Ukrainian Dayana Yastremska has been promoted to the main draw.
Normally, Osaka’s withdrawal would have benefited the Australian No. 1 Ajla Tomljanovic. Who needs two higher-ranked opponents to withdraw before next Thursday’s draw to be seeded in the Open.
The former world No. 1 is now below Tomljanovic in the standings and fighting to remain in the top 50.
Kooyong Classic management
A grand slam seeding for the first time would ensure that Wimbledon and US Open quarterfinalist Ajla Tomljanovic does not face a higher-ranked opponent until at least the third round.
Nick Kyrgios, ranked 22nd in the world, and Alex de Minaur, ranked 24th, are the only two Australians expected to be seeded for the season’s first grand slam.
After Alcaraz’s injury, Kooyong Classic management has not given up on luring Kyrgios to the Australian Open tune-up.
Dominic Thiem, a former US Open champion, has replaced Alcaraz, joining fellow past Melbourne Park runners-up Andy Murray, Marin Cilic, and De Minaur.
Jannik Sinner and Borna Coric will also participate in the three-day exhibition event beginning on Tuesday. With Czech teen superstar Linda Fruhvirtova dominating the women’s competition.
Peter Johnston, the tournament director, stated on Sunday that he would gladly find Kyrgios a match. If he desired to test his body before the start of the Open on 16 January.
Kyrgios cited a knee issue as the reason for his withdrawal from the United Cup and the Adelaide International 2 tournaments.
“We continue to hold a light for Nick,” Johnston told the AAP. “There could not be a more ideal setting for him to hit before the Open. Nick always has space available. We already have a fairly formidable lineup, but Novak Djokovic is welcome.”
Djokovic was scheduled to meet up-and-coming American Sebastian Korda in the final of the Adelaide International on Sunday evening before proceeding to Melbourne.
The nine-time Australian Open champion hopes to complete his preparations with a series of practice sessions at Rod Laver Arena. Where he has not lost since a 2018 third-round loss to Hyeon Chung.
