Osaka, who won the Australian Open in 2019 and 2021, has added her name to a growing list of notable draws.
Naomi Osaka has confirmed she will not compete at the Australian Open, adding her name to a growing list of notable drawdowns.
Organizers confirmed in a tweet on Sunday that Japan’s Osaka, the 2019 and 2021 Open champions, will not compete in Melbourne.
“Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from the Australian Open. We will miss her at #AO2023,” the tweet read.
Naomi Osaka withdraws from the Australian Open. We will miss her at #AO2023 💙
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 8, 2023
The 25-year-old Osaka’s ranking dropped to 47th and she hasn’t competed since September after withdrawing in the second round of the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo. She won her first match at that tournament when Australia’s Daria Saville withdrew from a match with a knee injury.
Osaka has only won one finish since May and was beaten in the first round of her previous three tournaments, including the US Open of which she is also a two-time champion.
She was deemed unable to compete in the first Grand Slam of the season.
Dayana Yastremska of Ukraine has been promoted to the main draw in her place.
Osaka takes one mental health rest after missing the 2021 French Open and later said she has struggled with depression and anxiety for several years. Her absence from Melbourne adds to the uncertainty as to when or whether she will resume her career.
Last week, she posted photos on social media of her trip to Europe with her boyfriend, rapper Cordae.
The Australian Open, which kicks off on January 16, has lost several top players, including world number one Carlos Alcaraz, who withdrew on Saturday to an ankle injury.
Former finalist Simona Halep is also not competing this year and Venus Williams has also been handed a wildcard entry after suffering an injury while training in Auckland.
Open organizers were already reeling from the retirement last year of defending women’s champion Ashleigh Barty and legends Serena Williams and Roger Federer.
But nine times champion Novak Djokovic is back after missing last year’s event when he was deported because of his vaccination status.
Spanish superstar Rafael Nadal, who won the 2022 championship in Djokovic’s absence, will also feature, taking over from Alcaraz’s top seed.
