Fans are concerned about the legendary four-time grand slam champion following Naomi Osaka Withdraws from Australian Open.
Japanese professional tennis player Naomi Osaka is the first Asian top-ranking singles champ famed for her aggressive playing style and robust service that can reach 201 kilometers per hour (125 mph).
She is the recipient of a four-time Grand Slam singles champion, with two Australian Open and two U.S. Open titles.
Japan-born Naomi became prominent at age 16 when she defeated former U.S. Open champion Samantha Stosur in her WTA Tour debut at the 2014 Stanford Classic.
The tennis player was the first tennis player to light the Olympic cauldron during the opening ceremony of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and she is one of the 100 most influential persons in the world.
Naomi was one of the top athletes who may have opened the Australian Open’s 2023 season. She eventually withdrew from the competition without giving a reason, which sparked several conversations about her retirement.
Why Did Naomi Osaka Withdraw From Australian Open?
According to Guardian, The two-time champion Naomi Osaka has formally withdrawn from the Australian Open, adding to the growing list of big-name casualties.
“The Australian Open has received a withdrawal from Naomi Osaka. She’ll be missed at #AO2023, “Authorities in charge of Open tweeted on January 8, 2023.
Earlier,42-year-old seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams and Spain’s world number one Carlos Alcaraz, 19, have already withdrawn from the tournament, which begins on January 16 in Melbourne.
The four-time Grand Slam champion from Japan hasn’t been seen practicing much, leading to rumors that his tennis career may be gone at 25.
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What Happened To Naomi Osaka?
According to the BBC, British number one Emma Raducanu, who injured her ankle at the ASB Classic on Thursday and was forced to leave a match in the middle, will participate in the Australian Open.
Since September, Osaka has not played and was long odds to make her comeback at Melbourne Park after posting pictures on social media last week of her European tour with her U.S. rapper boyfriend, Cordae.
Since quitting the second round in Tokyo last September due to stomach problems, the Japanese player has not competed and has only finished one match.
The tennis champion previously talked about her mental health and revealed that she suffered from depression.
Did Naomi Osaka Retire?
According to BBC, four-time Grand Slam champion Osaka retired from her second-round match as she defended the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo in September.
Since Tennis Australia stated that the two-time Melbourne winner would miss the opening Grand Slam of the year, Osaka has not posted anything on her social media platforms.
According to Fox, the tennis champion last participated in a match in September. Her withdrawal from the Australian Open the following week sparked worries that the former world number one may never be on the court again.
The 25-year-old’s Melbourne no-show will further heighten concerns that the four-time grand slam champion may not return to the tennis court.
Earlier, the tennis pro took a mental health break after sitting out the 2021 French Open and revealed she had been struggling with depression and anxiety for several years.
Ben Rothenberg, a tennis writer who has written a biography of Osaka that will be published later this year, thinks she has already taken a “significant step back” from the sport and is purposefully remaining silent.
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