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,

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 revealed she has suffered abdominal problems since she was a teenager as the two-time champion was forced to pull out of the Australian Open. The former world No.1 retired in tears from the final of the Auckland Open with the stomach injury after winning the first set earlier this month.

Naomi Osaka exited the Australian Open the same way she bowed out of her previous two events -- retiring midmatch due to injury. The 27-year-old Japanese star pulled out of her third-round match against Switzerland's Belinda Bencic after losing the first set 7-6 (3) on Friday in Melbourne, Australia.

Third round action at the Australian Open sees two-time AO champion Naomi Osaka looking to post her best result at a Grand Slam since 2021, while Jessica Pegula continues her question to reach another Grand Slam title.