Naomi Osaka was injured during the ASB Classic final against Clara Tauson in a heartbreaking moment in Auckland. Osaka came out firing and looking fantastic, building a 5-1 lead in the first set. She was broken while serving for the first set.
Tauson won three straight games. Osaka again served for the set and persevered. Tennis fans were thinking that she was one set away from a WTA title.
When the Tennis Channel returned from the commercial break, a teary Osaka was being attended to by the trainer. She had a back injury at the end of the 2024 season so there was some speculation that could be bothering her again. The trainer also checked her abdominal area.
Sad scenes in Auckland 😢
Naomi Osaka is forced to retire due to injury after winning the opening set of the final.
Clara Tauson wins the title as a result. 🏆#ASBClassic pic.twitter.com/t73XUZnrJs
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) January 5, 2025
Osaka went over and spoke to Tauson and retired from the match. Clara Tauson wins the 2025 ASB Classic.
There were signs of vintage Osaka in the first set with her strokes and movement. We can only hope that it is nothing serious and that she is being overly cautious with the Australian Open starting in a week. Osaka is a two-time Australian Open champion.
Osaka’s latest struggle reiterates how hard it is to take time off of the WTA Tour. She was off for over a year while pregnant and giving birth. Coming back as a mother is a huge challenge.
In another blow for the tennis mom movement, former Australian Open champion Caroline Wozniacki withdrew from the 2025 Australian Open earlier in the day.
