Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from the 2023 Australian Open, the event confirmed by way of Twitter on Sunday. Dayana Yastremska of Ukraine can be competing in her place.
“Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from the Australian Open,” the tweet learn. “We will miss her at #AO2023.” The purpose for her withdrawal was not given.
Osaka, 25, made headlines in 2021 when she withdrew from the French Open, moderately than be compelled to attend necessary press conferences, which had already led to a $15,000 tremendous and risk of suspension. She candidly spoke in regards to the toll the game was taking up her psychological well being, writing on Instagram in May 2021, “I have suffered long bouts of depression … and I have had a really hard time coping with that.”
A yr later, Osaka instructed CBS News, “I love tennis,” including, “I think I had to take a little step back from it just to see the full picture again.”
Osaka is a two-time champion of the Australian Open, however was upset within the third spherical of final yr’s event by an American challenger, Amanda Anisimova. She has amassed a complete of 4 Grand Slams.
In June, Osaka withdrew from Wimbledon, citing a problem along with her Achilles tendon.
Osaka was as soon as the primary ranked ladies’s tennis participant on the earth, however her rating has since fallen to forty seventh. She has not performed since Sept. 2022, when she withdrew from the Tokyo Open, in response to the Associated Press.
Osaka joins an inventory of different elite gamers who is not going to be taking part within the Australian Open, which is ready to start Jan. 15. Carlos Alcaraz, the top-ranked males’s participant, and Venus Williams have additionally withdrawn, citing accidents.
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