Naomi Osaka Gives Verdict On Australian Open Chances After Auckland Retirement
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Naomi Osaka has given an update after her heartbreaking retirement from the women's singles final at the 2025 ASB Classic final in Auckland.
2025 is Osaka's second season since returning from maternity leave in 2023. Her 2024 season had some encouraging moments, including victories against Ons Jabeur and Jelena Ostapenko, but she struggled for consistency.
Osaka generated headlines before the ASB Classic began by admitting that she could step away from professional tennis if her game did not improve from where it was throughout most of 2024.
That made a positive start to 2025 even more important. The ASB Classic was also just her second WTA tournament with Patrick Mouratoglou, who replaced Wim Fissette, now Iga Swiatek's coach, after the US Open.
Mouratoglou, who had a highly successful time as Serena Williams' coach from 2012 until 2022, only had one tournament with Osaka before the Japanese star sustained an injury at the China Open against Coco Gauff, who beat Iga Swiatek at last week's United Cup.
The French coach is a controversial figure because of his role in Simona Halep's suspension for taking a banned substance. Mouratoglou admitted that he and his team gave her the contaminated collagen that caused her stressful ordeal.
However, Osaka might feel the decision to hire Mouratoglou is justified after she reached her first final since returning to the WTA Tour at the start of last season, in just her second tournament with Serena Williams' former coach.
Osaka only dropped one set to make the final of the ASB Classic. That run included her opening round match against Lina Glushko, an Israeli player, being briefly disrupted by people outside protesting Israel's actions in Gaza.
The four-time Grand Slam champion's hopes of winning a first title since the 2021 Australian Open ended sadly. Despite winning the opening set against Clara Tauson, Osaka retired in tears with an abdominal injury.
Osaka has provided an update about her chances of being ready for next week's Australian Open. Although it is impossible to be sure at this stage, the 27-year-old said in a brief statement that she is optimistic about being fit for the season's opening Grand Slam.
"I'm having an MRI today to assess. I don't feel that it's too serious and I still feel very optimistic about AO."
That is encouraging news. Although it is only one tournament, Osaka showed in Auckland how devastating her game can be. No player in the draw will want to face the two-time champion if she plays near that level at this year's Australian Open.
The former world No. 1 also released a positive social media post after retiring from the ASB Classic final about bigger things possibly being on her journey. She believes 2025 will be a great year.
"I've come to the conclusion that what's meant for me is meant for me, and maybe certain situations occur to train my mind for what's to come. Maybe there are bigger and better things on my path, and I just have to continue the journey to encounter them. That being said, this is about to be a great year."
