Naomi Osaka has assured fans she will compete in her first-round match at the Australian Open despite an abdominal injury sustained during the Auckland final last week. The Japanese star, who retired after winning the first set against Clara Tauson, admitted the setback was "devastating" but remains optimistic about her participation in the tournament starting Sunday at Melbourne Park.
Speaking to reporters, the two-time Australian Open champion revealed that while her MRI results were mixed, her recovery progress was encouraging. "The MRI wasn’t fantastic, but it wasn’t bad at the same time. I’ve been practising well, so I’m optimistic and will definitely play my match," said Osaka, now ranked 50th in the world.
Osaka, who returned to the tennis circuit a year ago after a 15-month break to welcome her first child, reflected on the challenges of postpartum recovery. "After giving birth, it was really tough to even run. There’s no guidebook—you just listen to your body," the 27-year-old shared. Despite the hurdles, she is eager to reclaim her form at Melbourne Park, where she claimed titles in 2019 and 2021.
Drawn to face France’s Caroline Garcia in a rematch of last year’s opening round, Osaka acknowledged the difficulty of balancing motherhood and professional tennis. However, her determination to compete highlights her commitment to making a strong comeback at the Grand Slam stage.
