Naomi Osaka out of Australian Open

• Naomi Osaka has added her name to the growing list of notable athletes who are out of this year’s Australian Open. 
• The organizers of the Australian Open confirmed on Sunday morning that the two-time champion will not be participating in the event. 

Naomi Osaka has added her name to the growing list of notable athletes who are out of this year’s Australian Open. 

The organizers of the Australian Open confirmed on Sunday morning that the two-time champion will not be participating in the event.

Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from the Australian Open. Photo/ Tennis World.

However, the reason for her withdrawal is not yet known. She posted pictures of a trip to Europe with her boyfriend Cordae last week. 

“Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from the Australian Open. We will miss her at #AO2023,” the organizers posted on Twitter. 

Dayana Yastremska has taken Naomi Osaka’s place at the Australian Open. 

Naomi Osaka has not played since September 2022, when she withdrew during the second round of the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo. 

She won her first-round match at the tournament after Daria Saville withdrew as a result of an injury to her knee. 

Naomi Osaka’s ranking has slipped to 42. Since May 2022, the Japan international has won only one completed match. 

She has lost in the first round of her three previous tournaments, including the US Open, prior to the Tokyo event. 

The 25-year-old also lost in the first round of the French Open in May 2022. She withdrew from Wimbledon the following month as a result of an Achilles tendon injury. 

Naomi Osaka, four-time Grand Slam champion, pulled out of the French Open in May 2021 after revealing her struggles with depression. 

Besides Naomi Osaka, Australian Open has also lost other notable stars in the past few days. One of them is men’s world number one Carlos Alcarez, who pulled out on Saturday because of an ankle injury. He picked up the injury while at his best in pre-season. 

Alcarez was to play in the Kooyong Classic this week before the start of the Australian Open on January 16. 

“I’d worked so hard to get to my best level for Australia, but unfortunately, I won’t be able to play the Kooyong or the Australian Open. It’s tough, but I have to be optimistic, recover and look forward. See you in the 2024 Australian Open.” Carlos Alcarez said, according to BBC Sports. 

Venus Williams is another top competitor who has handed back a wildcard entry. The 42-year-old cited injury at the ASB Classic as the reason for her withdrawal. 

Venus’ pullout is a big disappointment to her fans, who still want to see her win major titles. 

Former Australian Open finalist Simona Halep will also not be participating in this year’s Australian Open. 

On the positive side, nine-time champion Novak Djokovic will be present after missing last year’s edition due to his vaccination status. 

Rafael Nadal, who won last year’s Australian Open, will also be present in Melbourne from January 16.

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal will be in this year’s Australian Open. Photo/ Tennis Majors.