Source:Africapublicity
Naomi Osaka’s comeback trail hit a speed bump as she retired from the ASB Classic final in Auckland due to an apparent abdominal injury. This untimely setback comes just a week before the Australian Open, where Osaka is a two-time champion .
Osaka was facing Clara Tauson in the final and had won the first set 6-4, with her impressive form suggesting she was on track to claim her first title since the 2021 Australian Open. However, her injury forced her to concede the match, handing Tauson her third WTA Tour title.
Despite the disappointing end to her tournament, Osaka was gracious in defeat, thanking the crowd for their support and apologizing for the anticlimactic finish. “I just want to thank everyone for welcoming me to such a beautiful city, and I had a lot of fun playing here,” Osaka said .
The injury scare raises concerns about Osaka’s readiness for the Australian Open, which begins on January 12. As a four-time Grand Slam champion, Osaka is always a top contender, but her fitness will be closely monitored in the lead-up to the tournament.
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