Osaka Withdraws; Inglis Advances to Australian Open Round of 16

Naomi Osaka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 Australian Open due to a left abdominal injury. This announcement comes from Tennis Australia and was confirmed by Osaka on her social media platforms. As a result, Australian qualifier Maddison Inglis advances to the Round of 16 and will compete against Iga Swiatek.

Details of Osaka’s Withdrawal

Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion and two-time title holder at the Australian Open, expressed her disappointment regarding the situation. “It’s an injury I’ve had a couple of times before,” she mentioned. Osaka had hoped to push through despite experiencing pain in her last match. However, during her warm-up, her condition worsened.

She emphasized the need for further medical evaluations, especially in light of body changes she has experienced after pregnancy. This injury has historical significance, as Osaka dealt with abdominal issues during previous tournaments.

Osaka’s Recent Performance

In her last match, Osaka faced Sorana Cirstea in the second round, winning in three sets 6-3, 4-6, 6-2. During this match, she took a medical timeout while leading in the third set. Reflecting on her medical history, she noted the recurring nature of her injury troubles.

• 2025 Australian Open: Osaka retired during her third-round match against Belinda Bencic, dealing with similar abdominal pain.
• 2025 ASB Classic: She withdrew from the final match against Clara Tauson after winning the first set due to the same condition.

Inglis’ Upcoming Match

With Osaka’s withdrawal, Maddison Inglis moves forward in the tournament, encountering Iga Swiatek for the second time in her career. Their previous match took place at the Adelaide International in 2021, where Swiatek triumphed 6-1, 6-3.

Inglis has showcased resilience throughout her journey, with four out of five matches leading to three sets, successfully saving two match points in her first qualifying round against Leyre Romero Gormaz.

Osaka’s Grand Entrance

Before the withdrawal, Osaka made headlines with her unique outfit for her opening match against Antonia Ruzic. The ensemble included a veil, a parasol, and a striking butterfly-emblazoned hat. She commented on the positive reception of her outfit, while also highlighting her excitement for competing at the event.

Despite her physical concerns, she felt fit and healthy overall, though her abdominal condition was a setback.

Conclusion

Naomi Osaka’s withdrawal from the 2026 Australian Open marks a significant moment in her career, underscored by her ongoing battle with injury. As she focuses on recovery, the path clears for players like Maddison Inglis, who will now seek to make her mark in the tournament.