The Australian Open is set to be robbed of another major drawcard as officials scramble to determine the playing status – and exact whereabouts – of two-time women’s champion Naomi Osaka.
Without a match in four months, Osaka seems all but certain to miss the Melbourne major having only just arrived back to her US base this week following a trip through Europe with her partner Cordae.
In an Instagram post titled “Europe”, the former world No 1 was in France last week with Cordae, a rapper, posting a photo sitting together in front of the Mona Lisa, while she also appeared to be at a concert.
Champion at Melbourne Park in 2019 and 2021, Osaka is apparently back in Los Angeles after being tagged in a photo from a pilates studio in suburban LA but has shown no signs of preparing for the first major tournament of the year.
Disgruntled fans have expressed their dismay on social media, a number replying to the post and seemingly blaming Osaka’s boyfriend for her not playing tennis.
While Osaka remains on the official Australian Open entry list, the 25-year-old is not down to play in Adelaide or Hobart next week. Officials appear quietly resigned to Osaka not competing at Melbourne Park, where play begins on 16 January , as concerns grow that the four-time grand slam champion may not return to the court at all.
Osaka took a mental health break after sitting out the 2021 French Open and later revealed she had been struggling with depression and anxiety for several years.
Even if she did take part in Australia, it is difficult to imagine Osaka seriously challenging for a third title. The Japanese star has not played since withdrawing from the second round in Tokyo last September with abdominal pains, and has won only one completed match since last May.
She crashed out in the first round of her previous three events, including the US Open – a tournament at which she has also twice won the title.
Osaka’s last official victory was a significantly abbreviated one, coming after just one game against Daria Saville when the Australian suffered a torn ACL in Tokyo.
If Osaka withdraws from the season-opening grand slam tournament, she will join a void of greats and former world No 1s not taking part. Australian drought-breaker Ash Barty will not defend her women’s crown following her shock retirement last March, while six-time men’s winner Roger Federer also quit the game last year. Serena Williams, a seven-time Open champion, is currently not active in the game having announced she was “evolving away from tennis” in August.
Nine-time men’s champion Novak Djokovic is back after missing the 2022 edition having had his Australian visa revoked for not being vaccinated against Covid-19. He was received warmly on his return to action in Australia, a doubles loss at the Adelaide International on Monday.
The draw will take place next Thursday, with Carlos Alcaraz the men’s top seed ahead of his Spanish compatriot and defending champion Rafael Nadal. World No 1 Iga Swiatek of Poland is the top women’s seed.
