Two-time Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka stopped playing because of a strained abdominal muscle after dropping the opening set of her third-round match against Belinda Bencic. “I kind of have a history of it,

MELBOURNE (Reuters) -Swiss Belinda Bencic advanced to the last 16 of the Australian Open after two-time champion Naomi Osaka retired during Friday's third-round match with an abdominal strain that has affected her since the start of the season.

Naomi Osaka ’s return to Grand Slam competition ended prematurely on Friday, as the two-time Australian Open champion was forced to retire from her third-round match against Belinda Bencic due to a strained abdominal muscle. Osaka had dropped the opening set in a tiebreaker, 7-6 (3), before informing the chair umpire she could no longer continue.

Naomi Osaka retired from her Australian Open third round match on Friday. The Japanese tennis star had just lost the opening set to Belinda Bencic via a tiebreak (7-3) before pulling the plug. It marked the first time she had withdrawn from a grand slam tournament match in her career.

Belinda Bencic (No. 294) will take on Naomi Osaka (No. 51) in the Round of 32 at the Australian Open on Thursday, January 16.Osaka secured a three-set victory over Karolina Muchova (1-6, 6-1, 6-3)

A persistent abdominal injury forced Naomi Osaka to retire during her third round match against Belinda Bencic at the 2025 Australian Open.

Naomi Osaka suffered a disappointing end to what has been an encouraging Australian Open, as she retired with an abdominal injury after losing the first set against Belinda Bencic.

Naomi Osaka has opened up about facing fellow mother Belinda Bencic in the third round of the 2025 Australian Open.

Naomi Osaka withdrew from match against Belinda Bencic after her pain became unbearable in third round.On Friday at John Cain Arena, Melbourne the four-time Grand Slam champion was leading the opening set with 5-2 but started struggling