MELBOURNE, Australia, USA (AP) — Two-time champion Naomi Osaka has confirmed she will not play at the Australian Open, adding another high-profile tournament to her growing list of notable absences.
The organizers confirmed on Sunday via Twitter that the Japanese, champion of the tournament in 2019 and 2021, will not play in Melbourne.
“Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from the Australian Open. We will miss her,” the post said.
Osaka, 25, has plummeted to 47th in the rankings and has not played since September after withdrawing in the second round in Tokyo. She won her first round match in that contest when Australia’s Daria Saville withdrew after one game with a knee injury.
Osaka has won only one complete match since May and has lost in the first round at her last three events, including the US Open, which she has also won twice.
Last week she posted photos on social media of a trip she made to Europe accompanied by her boyfriend, American rapper Cordae, and her participation in the first Grand Slam of the season was considered unlikely.
Ukrainian Dayana Yastremska will take her place in the main draw.
Osaka went on hiatus for mental health reasons after missing the French Open in 2021 and later said she has struggled with depression and anxiety for several years. His absence from Melbourne adds to the uncertainty about when or if he will continue his career.
The Australian Open, which begins on January 16, has already lost several players, including world number one Carlos Alcaraz, who on Saturday announced his withdrawal with an ankle injury.
Former finalist Simona Halep will also miss this year and Venus Williams returned her wild card after picking up an injury during training in Auckland.
