Former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka has cast some doubt on her condition heading into the 2025 Australian Open after revealing less-than-ideal MRI results following her withdrawal from the Auckland final.
Despite the setback, Osaka remains determined to play her first-round match against Caroline Garcia, a rematch of last year’s opening-round encounter that saw her exit the tournament.
Injury Update: A Mixed Bag
Osaka retired mid-final in Auckland due to an abdominal injury, raising immediate concerns about her fitness for Melbourne Park. When asked about the results of her MRI scan, Osaka admitted:
“The MRI, it wasn’t fantastic, but it wasn’t bad at the same time. So saying all that, I’m pretty optimistic about playing my match. For sure, I’m going to play my match.”
Despite the uncertainty, the two-time Australian Open champion shared a positive outlook, noting her successful practice sessions over the past two days.
Déjà Vu with Caroline Garcia
Adding to the drama of Osaka’s tournament preparation is her first-round draw against Caroline Garcia, the same opponent who eliminated her in the opening round of last year’s Australian Open. Reflecting on the unexpected rematch, Osaka joked:
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