Naomi Osaka gives up injured

Japan’s tennis star Naomi Osaka withdrew from the Australian Open in the third round due to injury. The four-time Grand Slam tournament winner ended the match against the Swiss Belinda Bencic after losing the tiebreak of the first set 3:7 (6:7). The game between the two players, who are already mothers, thrilled the fans.

The 27-year-old was apparently plagued by abdominal muscle problems in the John Cain Arena. Even a medical break did not bring any improvement. With tears in her eyes, Osaka sat on the bench before she hugged her opponent and gave the signal to give up. Bencic reached the round of 16 of the first Grand Slam tournament of the year.

Problems at the preparatory tournament

“That’s really a shame. We saw high-speed tennis from the baseline for an hour,” said former national coach Barbara Rittner at Eurosport.

At the preparatory tournament in Auckland, Australia two weeks ago, Osaka was unable to finish the final against Denmark’s Clara Tauson due to an injury.