Osaka’s absence from the year’s first grand slam doesn’t come as a huge shock,considering she hasn’t played a competitive match for four months and only recently returned home from a European holiday with her US rapper boyfriend Cordae.
It will be the first time that the Japanese star will miss an Australian Open since her first appearance at Melbourne Park in 2016.
With the tennis world seemingly at her feet after winning back-to-back majors at the 2020 US Open and 2021 Australian Open,Osaka’s decline has been dramatic.
Her best performance at a grand slam since her last triumph at Rod Laver Arena was a third-round appearance,which she achieved at the 2021 US Open and last year’s Australian Open.
“Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from the Australian Open. We will miss her at #AO2023,” Open officials tweeted on Sunday.
Ukrainian Dayana Yastremska has been promoted to the main draw in Osaka’s absence.
The 25-year-old’s Melbourne no show will only further heighten concerns the four-time grand slam champion may not return to the tennis court at all.