Naomi Osaka’s bid to return to the top took an unexpected turn as she was forced to withdraw from the Auckland Classic final due to an abdominal injury on Sunday, a worrying setback just days before the Australian Open.
In her first WTA final in three years, Osaka took control against Denmark’s Clara Tauson, winning the first set 6-4. However, a request for physio during a medical timeout after the first set raised questions, ultimately leading to his withdrawal shortly after. The news was hard for fans to take, as the four-time Grand Slam champion showed no signs of trouble during the 35-minute first set, displaying her powerful groundstrokes to dominate Tauson in the deciding moments.
During the break, the 27-year-old Japanese woman was seen stretching and appearing to make an effort to continue. With a heavy heart, she then shook the hand of her opponent, who won her third WTA title and her first since 2021.
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In a brief on-court interview, Osaka did not elaborate on the details of her injury but expressed gratitude to the Auckland crowd and regret over the abrupt end to her tournament. “I just want to thank everyone for welcoming me to such a beautiful city. I had a lot of fun playing here, and I’m really sorry for how it ended,” she said . “I hope you enjoyed the tennis we played, and I’m really grateful to be here.”
The unexpected retirement added to the disappointment, with Osaka aiming to secure her first title in four years, the last being the 2021 Australian Open. After her final appearance in the final in Miami the following year, she took a break from 15 months, during which she welcomed her first child in mid-2023.
Making her return to the sport a year ago, the former world number one climbed to 57th place in the world rankings. Arriving in Auckland, she expressed renewed passion for the game and optimism about her chances at the next Grand Slam in Melbourne. As the tournament progressed, fans could see flashes of her fearsome game as she eliminated four lower-ranked players with ease.
Despite the disappointment in himself, Tauson recognized his opponent’s superior level in the match. “I felt like today she was reaching an even higher level, so I’m very sad how it ended,” said Tauson, 50th in the rankings. “She’s right to put her health first, always. But this is the worst finale I’ve ever played emotionally because I can’t feel happy, and I’m just sad about what happened. Of course, when I digest this, I’m going to be super happy with my week.”
