MELBOURNE, Australia — Two-time champion Naomi Osaka He has confirmed that he will not play in the Australian Open, adding his name to the list of notable withdrawals.
Japan’s Osaka, the Open champion in 2019 and 2021, will not play in Melbourne, organizers confirmed in a tweet on Sunday.
The 25-year-old Osaka has dropped to 47 and has not played since September after a second-round exit in Tokyo. He won his first round of that tournament while in Australia Daria Saville Left after one game with a knee injury.
Osaka has won just one tournament since May and has been beaten in the first round of her previous three tournaments, including the US Open, where she is also a two-time champion.
Last week she posted pictures on social media of a trip to Europe with her United States rapper boyfriend Korte and was considered unlikely to play in the season’s first Grand Slam.
of Ukraine Dayana Yastremska He has been promoted to the main position in his place.
Osaka took a mental break after missing the 2021 French Open and later said she had struggled with depression and anxiety for years. His absence from Melbourne adds to the uncertainty of when or if he will resume his career.
The Australian Open, which starts on January 16, has already lost several top players, including the men’s world no. Carlos AlgarazHe left Saturday with an ankle injury.
Former finalist Simona Halep Not playing this year, and Venus Williams He also suffered an injury during training in Auckland and withdrew his wild card entry.
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