Naomi Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion and two-time Australian Open winner (2019 and 2021), has withdrawn from the 2026 Australian Open due to a recurring left abdominal injury.
The announcement came on January 24, 2026, just hours before her scheduled third-round match against Australian qualifier and wildcard entrant Maddison Inglis on Rod Laver Arena.
As a result, Inglis automatically advances to the fourth round (round of 16) without needing to play the match, securing a significant payday and career milestone in the process. Osaka, now 28 and ranked around No. 16 in the world, had been building momentum in Melbourne after overcoming early-round challenges.
She notably took a medical timeout during her second-round victory over Sorana Cirstea, where the abdominal issue first became evident on court. This problem is not new for her—she has managed similar abdominal concerns throughout 2025 and in previous seasons, including during last year’s Australian Open campaign.
In a heartfelt statement, Osaka expressed deep disappointment: “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. Thanks for all the love and support…I’m so grateful everyone embraced me so much. And thank you to my whole team for always having my back and the tournament organizers.”
The withdrawal marks a tough setback in Osaka’s ongoing comeback story, which has included time away from the sport for motherhood, mental health priorities, and various physical recoveries.
Many highlighted how this Melbourne run felt particularly meaningful to her, making the early exit especially painful. Tennis Australia and the WTA confirmed the injury as the official reason, with no immediate timeline given for her return, though the focus remains on proper rehabilitation to avoid long-term aggravation.