Injury Update: Naomi Osaka Confident of Playing Australian Open

Two-time Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka will play in the upcoming Grand Slam despite abdominal injury concerns, revealing her MRI results were 'not fantastic but not bad'.

Two-time Australian Open winner Naomi Osaka has confirmed she intends to participate in the upcoming Grand Slam tournament despite recent scan results revealing concerns over her abdominal injury. The 27-year-old Osaka is scheduled to face Caroline Garcia in her opening match.

Naomi Osaka's abdominal issue forced her to withdraw from her WTA Tour final against Aryna Sabalenka on Sunday, leaving her in tears. Despite the setback, Osaka remains optimistic about her chances at the Australian Open, where she triumphed in 2019 and 2021.

Naomi Osaka withdrew from the Auckland final against Clara Tauson on Sunday, while leading 6-4, due to an abdominal injury. However, the Japanese player is now focused on her upcoming Australian Open match and is optimistic about her chances.

Osaka provided an update on her injury status, revealing that her MRI results were not entirely positive. “The MRI, it wasn't fantastic but it wasn't bad at the same time,” Osaka told reporters on Friday. Despite this, she is confident about participating in the Australian Open. “So saying all that, I'm pretty optimistic about playing my match. I mean, for sure I'm going to play my match.”

Osaka has been practicing in Melbourne and is pleased with her progress. “I've been practising pretty well for the two days that I've been here, so it seems to be going good,” she said.

Naomi Osaka expressed her satisfaction with her performance in Auckland, where she reached the final before withdrawing due to injury. Despite the outcome, Osaka felt encouraged by her display. “Obviously I did pretty well. I know I lost, debatably lost in the final. In my head I won it,” she said with a smile.

Osaka is now looking forward to the Australian Open, where she will be accompanied by her new coach, Patrick Mouratoglou. The partnership, which began in September, has yet to experience a loss, and Osaka is optimistic about their prospects. “I'm excited to play here. I'm also excited to be here with Patrick because we technically haven't lost yet. So yeah, it's going to be a good run I think.”

In the opening round of the Australian Open, Osaka will face Caroline Garcia for the second consecutive year. Garcia emerged victorious in their previous encounter, winning 6-4, 7-6 in 2024. However, Osaka harbors no ill feelings towards her opponent, instead expressing admiration and a sense of kinship. “I really respect her a lot. I feel the same energy coming from her,” Osaka said. The two players also share a unique connection, having been born on the same day. “I also like the fact that we were born on the same day, so we have the same birthdays. I can't ever have bad blood with a fellow Libra.”