Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 Australian Open, citing a recurring left abdominal injury. The two-time Melbourne champion was scheduled to face Australian qualifier Maddison Inglis in a marquee third-round match on Rod Laver Arena on Saturday night, January 24, but was forced to pull out just hours before the session began.
Osaka’s campaign had been one of the tournament’s most talked-about storylines, largely due to her remarkable resilience on the court and her bold, “jellyfish-inspired” fashion statement during her opening match. Designed by Robert Wun, the outfit—complete with a ruffled jacket, wide-brimmed hat, and matching parasol—captured global attention, reflecting a creative and personal return to the sport following her maternity leave.
The withdrawal comes after two grueling three-set victories that took a physical toll on the 28-year-old star. Osaka opened her tournament with a hard-fought 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 win over Antonia Ruzic before defeating veteran Sorana Cirstea 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 in the second round. During the latter match, Osaka required a medical timeout, later admitting that she had been playing through significant discomfort.
In an emotional statement shared on Instagram, Osaka expressed her heartbreak over the decision: “I’ve had to make the difficult decision to withdraw to address something my body needs attention for after my last match. I was so excited to keep going and this run meant the most to me, so having to stop here breaks my heart, but I can’t risk doing any further damage so I can get back on the court.”
Osaka noted that her body has undergone significant changes since returning to the tour after childbirth, making long-term health her primary priority. Despite the premature exit, the 16th-seeded Japanese star remains optimistic about the remainder of the 2026 season once she completes further medical testing and recovery. Following the withdrawal, Maddison Inglis advances to the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time in her career.
