Osaka, the two-time champion, withdraws from the Australian Open

Japanese tennis player and two-time champion Australian Open ChampionshipAnd Naomi OsakaHe will not participate in the next edition of the tournamentOn Sunday, the organizers announced on their social networks without specifying the reason.

“Naomi Osaka withdrew from the Australian Open. She will be missed.”The organizers noted that the competition will start on January 16 in Melbourne (Southeast Australia). Ukrainian Dayana Yastremska takes her place in the draw.

Former world number one, 25, I last played last September in Tokyo PremierShe withdrew before her second-round match, complaining of abdominal pain, and is now ranked 42nd in the world.

In last year’s Grand Slam events, Osaka lost in the third round in Melbourne, in the first round at Roland Garros and the US Open. He also did not play Wimbledon due to an Achilles tendon injury.

Naomi Osaka, the daughter of a Haitian-American father and a Japanese mother, plays in international competitions on behalf of Japan.

Venus Williams, also down

Venus Williams, who received an invitation from the organization to play the Australian Open at the age of 42, withdrew due to injury. After losing this week in the second round of the Auckland tournament. Spanish Sarah Sorribes, who is recovering from injury, and China’s Qiang Wang are the other confirmed victims of the first Grand Slam this season. Australian Ken Pearl takes Williams’ wild card.