Osaka To Play Australian Open After Devastating Injury Pullout

Naomi Osaka declared Friday that she would for sure play her first-round match at the Australian Open after suffering an abdominal injury last week.

The Japanese star reached her first final since 2022 last week in Auckland, only to retire injured after winning the first set against Denmarks Clara Tauson.

In that moment it was devastating, admitted two-time Australian Open champion Osaka, a former world number one.

It just sucked because I felt like my body wasnt keeping up with what my mind wanted it to do.

Obviously I was very concerned about my chances playing here, Osaka told reporters at Melbourne Park, where the first Grand Slam of the year begins on Sunday.