Naomi Osaka (Image: Getty)
preparations for the were rocked when she was forced to retire from the WTA Auckland Open.
It was Osaka’s first final of any kind since April 2022, with the former world No.1 having been one set ahead before pulling out through injury.
She broke opponent Clara Tauson to take the opening set 6-4, but it proved the only set of the afternoon as a teary Osaka was soon receiving on-court medical attention from the physio for an apparent muscle strain.
After a short consultation, it was announced the match was called off, meaning Tauson was confirmed as the event’s champion in the process.
Osaka remained coy on the injury when quizzed about it during the post-match debrief, stating: “I just want to thank everyone for welcoming me to such a beautiful city and I had a lot of fun playing here and I’m really sorry about how it ended.
“I hope you did enjoy the tennis that we did play and I’m just really grateful to be here.”
It throws the 27-year-old’s participation at the first Grand Slam of 2025 into doubt, with action at the Australian Open poised to start next week.
Tauson, who has now won three career titles, was quick to sympathise with Osaka following a bittersweet victory in New Zealand.
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Naomi Osaka’s participation at the Australian Open is in doubt (Image: Getty)
Commenting on her unlikely triumph, the Dane said: “First of all I have to say I’m really sorry about this final. Naomi was playing some great tennis today. That’s the worst final I’ve ever played emotionally,” she said.
“I can’t feel happy. I’m just sad about what happened today. I am happy about the week I had. I’m happy that I won… but not really.”
There is at least some positives for Osaka ahead of the Australian Open – should she be deemed fit enough to play – as the four-time Grand Slam winner is set to return to the WTA top 50.
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Osaka began 2025 ranked 57th in the world following her unspectacular return to action from maternity leave in 2024.
Had Osaka beaten Tauson at the WTA 250 event, she’d have had the chance to climb as high as 42nd in the world rankings.
But because of her early retirement, the highest the two-time Australian Open champion can now reach ahead of Thursday’s main draw is 49th.
A victory for Polina Kudermetova over in the Brisbane International final would see Osaka be bumped down on place back to 50th.