The world of tennis was not really shocked today when it was announced that Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from the 2023 Australian Open.
This marks another time in recent months that Osaka has pulled out of a tournament, as she also withdrew from her second-round match at the Japan Open in Tokyo in September 2022. There has been no official statement as to why Osaka has withdrawn from the Australian Open, with the tournament's official Twitter account simply stating that she has "withdrawn" without providing any further detail.
This has led to speculation about the reasons behind her withdrawal, with some speculating that it may be due to injury or personal issues. Previously, there were rumors about the four-time Grand Slam champion not attending the event, and those were now confirmed.
This is a major blow for the Australian Open, as Osaka was one of the top contenders for the title and her withdrawal leaves a significant gap in the draw. It will also be a disappointment for fans of Osaka, who were looking forward to seeing her compete in Melbourne.
It remains to be seen whether Osaka will return to the tour in the near future, or whether she will take an extended break from competition. Whatever the case may be, the absence of Naomi Osaka from the Australian Open will be felt by fans and players alike.