NAOMI OSAKA has withdrawn from the Australian Open just hours before her match with Maddison Inglis had been due to begin.
The two-time former Melbourne Park champion, 28, released a statement on Instagram to confirm that she had been forced to exit the tournament with a physical issue.
Osaka had been due to play second in the Rod Laver Arena night session, following the conclusion of Novak Djokovic‘s third round tussle with Botic van de Zandschulp.
With Djokovic already a set up on his Dutch opponent, Osaka released her statement.
It read: “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.
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“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 for being so kind.”
Osaka could have been in line to face Iga Swiatek in round four.
Instead it’ll be Aussie hopeful Inglis, the world No168, who progresses further.
Osaka has been struggling with an abdominal injury and required treatment for it during her second round win over Cirstea.
The four-time Grand Slam champion made plenty of waves during her brief stay in Melbourne.
Her outfit raised eyebrows, as she entered the court for her first round win over Antonia Ruzic in a veil, flared trousers, wide-brimmed hat and umbrella.
There was then controversy following her second round win over Cirstea, when the pair exchanged heated words following a frosty handshake.
The Romanian, 35, had been unhappy with Osaka saying “come on” between her first and second serves.
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