Naomi Osaka’s absence from the pro tour continues.
Two-time Australian Open champion Osaka officially withdrew from the 2023 Australian Open today.
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Dayana Yastremska replaces Osaka in the Australian Open draw. Osaka joins one of her tennis heroes, 42-year-old Venus Williams, in pulling out of the Melbourne major.
Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from the Australian Open. We will miss her at #AO2023 💙
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 8, 2023
Seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams pulled the plug after suffering an injury playing last week’s ASB Classic in Auckland.
Former world No. 1 Osaka has not played a Tour-level match since Tokyo last September. Osaka’s last Grand Slam tournament win was a 6-0, 6-4 victory over Madison Brengle in the second round of the 2022 Australian Open last January. Osaka lost to Amanda Anisimova in her 2022 Roland Garros opener, did not play Wimbledon and fell to Australian Open finalist Danielle Collins the US Open first round.
Amanda Anisimova defeated defending-champion Osaka 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(5) in the Australian Open third round last January. Osaka played with passion in that match earning two match points before bowing. The former world No. 1 seemed to be finding her game and confidence with her run to the Miami Open final last April. Since Miami, Osaka has posted just three wins and failed to produce back-to-back victories.
8-0 in 2022 🌟@AnisimovaAmanda fends off two match points to knock off defending champion Naomi Osaka 4-6 6-3 7-6(10-5) and set up a R16 clash vs Ash Barty!
🎥: @AustralianOpen pic.twitter.com/rI1HX5o3Wc
— Billie Jean King Cup (@BJKCup) January 21, 2022
The question is can Osaka find the joy, passion, consistency and confidence that is missing?
Photo credit: Getty
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