Melbourne, January 17 (HS): Japan's star tennis player Naomi Osaka on Friday retired due to illness against Switzerland's Belinda Bencic in the third round of the women's singles at the Australian Open 2025.

The former world No. 1 lost the first set 6-7 (3-7) in a tiebreak and then withdrew from the match due to discomfort.

The two-time Australian Open champion needed treatment of her stomach from the trainer at 6-5 in the first set, which she eventually lost to her Swiss opponent in a tiebreak. Shortly after, she shook hands with Bencic and walked off the court.

This was the first time since 2022 that Osaka had reached the third round at a Grand Slam. She had been away from tennis for some time, taking a mental health break and later staying away from the tennis court during her pregnancy. Their daughter Shai was born in July 2023.

Osaka started this season strongly and reached the final of a tournament in Auckland, New Zealand on January 5. However, she was forced to retire during the title match due to an abdominal injury.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar