Osaka Pulls out of Third-Round Match with Ab Injury, Sending Qualifier Inglis to Round of 16

Two-time Naomi Osaka has pulled out of the Australian Open draw, citing an ab injury. The four-time major champion was out on the practice courts a few hours before the night session, but elected to pull the plug afterwards.

Madison Inglis moves into the round of 16 and will face either Iga Swiatek or Anna Kalinskaya in the round of 16.

Osaka hinted that she may be sufferring from the recurring injury after her second-round match. After practicing she new her worst fears would be realized.

“It’s an injury I’ve had a couple of times before, and I thought I could push through it,” she said in a press conference after the news broke. “I played my last match with some pain, and I thought maybe if I gave myself a break before my match today, I would be able to handle it, but I warmed up, and it got a lot worse, so yeah.

“I definitely have to do more tests, and obviously I think coming back from pregnancy, my body changed quite a lot. So this is something I have to be really cautious of.”

It’s a painful end to what was a promising Melbourne Park start for Osaka.

“I mean, I think for me obviously it was nice that everyone enjoyed my outfit, but also, I enjoyed playing the tennis here,” Osaka said. “I played two three-set matches, and I felt really physically healthy. Well, I
guess, not my ab, but just fitness-wise it felt really good.

“Yeah, I’m just grateful to be otherwise very healthy, and I hope that I’m able to play some good tennis for the rest of the year.”