Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from the 2026 Australian Open ahead of her scheduled third-round match against Australian qualifier Madison Inglis.
The former world No. 1 announced his decision on social media, citing an unspecified physical problem.
Writing on Instagram, Osaka said she had to pull out “to address what my body needed to address after my last match”, adding that the decision was difficult.
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“I was so excited to move on and this race meant the most to me, so it breaks my heart to stop here,” she wrote. “But I can't risk doing any more damage.”
Osaka's Melbourne campaign attracted wide attention from the start. Her dramatic first-round entrance with wide-brimmed hat, veil and white parasol went viral, with the four-time Grand Slam champion later revealing that Nike had allowed her to help design the outfit. The look sparked discussion beyond the tennis world, resonating strongly in the fashion and social media spheres.
Her second-round win over Romania's Sorana Cîrstea at the Margaret Court Arena made headlines of a different kind. Osaka won 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 in a tense, emotional match, but the atmosphere was cool after the match. The players barely acknowledged each other in net, a moment that did not go unnoticed by the fans.
As they left, Osaka was heard asking, “What was that for?” Cîrstea later clarified that she was unhappy with Osaka's reactions on the court, particularly her celebrations after points.
Osaka later addressed the exchange, saying, “Apparently, there are a lot of 'let's' she was mad about, but whatever. I guess it was her last Australian Open, so OK, sorry she was mad about it.”
The incident added edge to an already emotional tournament for Osaka, who demonstrated both intensity on the court and openness off it. His return left fans disappointed and concerned, ending a compelling, if unsettling, return to Melbourne.
Osaka crashed out of the Australian Open after making headlines for her style, competitiveness and outspokenness. She says, right now recovery should be given priority because tennis has taken a back seat.
