(Tennis news) Despite being on the entry list for the upcoming Australian Open, the tournament organisers have revealed that Naomi Osaka will not be participating in the Grand Slam event without revealing the reason. The Japanese tennis player has won the event twice (2019 and 2021) but has not played in the WTA Tour since the match against Beatriz Haddad Maia in the Pan Pacific Open second round in Tokyo in September due to illness.
A number of high profile names are not expected to feature at the 2023 Australian Open with Carlos Alcaraz, Venus Williams and Simona Halep sidelined due to injuries while Emma Raducanu is also doubtful for the event. Osaka had taken a break from tennis in 2021 to focus on her mental health, revealing that she was battling depression and has dropped to 42nd in the world rankings With the 25 year old’s withdrawal, the Australian Open organisers have promoted Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska in the main draw.
Osaka has crashed out from the first round of the last three events she has participated in, including the US Open, a tournament she has won twice. Her last victory came against Daria Saville in Tokyo as the Australian suffered an ACL tear and was unable to continue. The Australian Open won’t feature Ashleigh Barty and Roger Federer as well, as both the tennis greats have now retired.
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