Tears and triumph as Osaka retires and Tauson takes Auckland final

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Lacoste Roland Garros 2025 collection

Naomi Osaka’s start to the 2025 tennis season has taken a distressing turn. The four-time Grand Slam champion and former world No. 1 was forced to withdraw mid-match during the final of the ASB Classic in Auckland on Sunday, raising concerns about her fitness ahead of the Australian Open.

Naomi Osaka

Osaka had been in commanding form throughout the Auckland tournament, notching wins against Lina Glushko, Julia Grabher, Hailey Baptiste, and Alycia Parks to secure her spot in the final. Facing fifth seed Clara Tauson of Denmark, the Japanese appeared poised to claim her first title since her triumphant run at the 2021 Australian Open.

The match began with Osaka showcasing her trademark power and precision, racing to a 5-1 lead in the first set. Despite some visible discomfort, she managed to close out the set 6-4. However, the signs of trouble became apparent as her serve began to lose power. Moments later, after consulting with her trainer, Osaka made the heart-wrenching decision to retire from the match.

This is such an unfortunate outcome for Osaka, leaving her eyes filled with tears. She was playing exceptionally well, hitting 17 winners to just 4 unforced errors, delivering 5 aces, and committing no double faults. The official reason is an abdominal injury.

Osaka’s return to tennis in 2024 following the birth of her daughter, Shai, was met with widespread excitement. The Auckland tournament marked her first final since her comeback, and her performance leading up to the final hinted at a resurgence in her career. The injury, however, casts a shadow over her momentum and raises concerns about her readiness for the Australian Open, a tournament where she has triumphed twice before.

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Marija Zivlak
Marija Zivlak is the founder and editor-in-chief of Women’s Tennis Blog, a trusted source for in-depth coverage of the WTA Tour, tennis fashion, and player insights. Based in Belgrade, Serbia, she has been reporting on women’s tennis for over 18 years and has contributed exclusive fashion articles to the official WTA website. Marija launched Women’s Tennis Blog on March 31, 2007 to provide fans with accurate, engaging, and up-to-date tennis news. Her expertise and deep connections within the sport allow her to offer unique perspectives on tennis trends, gear, and events.

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