Melbourne: A day after Venus Williams withdrew from this year’s Australian Open due to an injury, now two-time champion Naomi Osaka has pulled out from the tournament. However, the reason for the Japanese star’s withdrawal is still unclear.
“Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from the Australian Open. We will miss her at #AO2023,” the Australian Open tweeted.
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Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from the Australian Open. We will miss her at #AO2023 ?
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 8, 2023
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With Osaka’s withdrawal, Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska moves into the main draw.
A champion in Melbourne in 2019 and 2021, Osaka has not played a competitive match since the US Open last fall. Last year, the former No.1 advanced to the third round, where she bowed out to Amanda Anisimova 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(5).
The Australian Open begins on January 16 in Melbourne.
