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.
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.
