Naomi Osaka has suffered injury concerns ahead of the Australian Open later this month after withdrawing from the ASB Classic final in Auckland with an apparent abdominal issue.
Osaka won the first set 6-4 against Clara Tosun but was then unable to continue and sat crying as she waited for the coach to arrive, although she looked more cheerful at the show.
“I just want to thank everyone for welcoming me to this beautiful city and I had a lot of fun playing here,” Osaka said, without going into details about her problem.
Osaka hopes to be ready to participate in the Australian Open starting January 12
“I'm really sorry about the way it ended but I hope you enjoyed the tennis we played. I'm grateful to be here.”
The first Grand Slam of the year begins in Melbourne on Sunday, January 12, and the draw is scheduled to be drawn next Thursday.
Osaka impresses ahead of retirement in Auckland
Osaka was looking to win her first title since the 2021 Australian Open, and had reached her first final since 2022 after returning to tennis last year following the birth of her daughter Shay.
Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, twice in Melbourne and twice at the US Open, won 5-1 over Towson in the first set by a double break of serve, but ultimately settled the matter despite suffering a back break once.
Danish Clara Tosson holds the trophy after winning her third WTA title
Osaka's retirement gives Tawson her third WTA Tour title and first since the Luxembourg Open in 2021.
“I have to say I'm really sorry about that final,” Tawson said. “Naomi was playing great tennis. I just feel for what happened.”
“When I deal with this, I'll be very happy about the week I had. I'm happy I won, but not really.”