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Reuters

Agence France-Presse

Two-time Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka is confident she will play her opening match against Caroline Garcia at the grand slam even though the results of a scan on her abdominal injury were not “fantastic”.
Osaka, the 2019 and 2021 Melbourne Park champion, was in tears on Sunday after the injury forced to quit her first WTA Tour final in almost three years.
The Japanese player was leading Clara Tauson 6-4 in the Auckland final when she decided she could not go on.
“The MRI, it wasn’t fantastic but it wasn’t bad at the same time,” Osaka told reporters on Friday. “So saying all that, I’m pretty optimistic about playing my match. I mean, for sure I’m going to play my match.
“I’ve been practising pretty well for the two days that I’ve been here, so it seems to be going good.”

Osaka, who began working with new coach Patrick Mouratoglou in September, said she was encouraged by her Auckland display.
“Obviously I did pretty well. I know I lost, debatably lost in the final. In my head I won it,” she said.
“I’m excited to play here. I’m also excited to be here with Patrick because we technically haven’t lost yet. So yeah, it’s going to be a good run I think.”
Osaka meets Caroline Garcia in the opening round of the Australian Open for the second straight year, the Frenchwoman getting the better of her 6-4, 7-6 in 2024.
Even if she loses to Garcia once again there is no danger of Osaka bearing any ill will towards her.
“I really respect her a lot. I feel the same energy coming from her,” Osaka added.
“I also like the fact that we were born on the same day, so we have the same birthdays. I can’t ever have bad blood with a fellow Libra.”

Osaka took a 15-month break to give birth to her first child in 2023 and returned to the circuit 12 months ago.
She admitted it had been tough to come back to tennis post-partum, and she was still feeling her way.
“After giving birth, it was definitely really tough to even run,” the 27-year-old said.
“I do understand why it’s very difficult to even get (back) to a professional level.
“There is no guidebook. But you kind of just go off what your body says.”


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Australian Open

Naomi Osaka said on Friday that “for sure I’m going to play my match” after being forced to retire last weekend with an abdominal injury. Photo: AFP

Naomi Osaka says she and new coach Patrick Mouratoglou (right) “technically haven’t lost yet”. Photo: AP

Naomi Osaka receives treatment before withdrawing from the Auckland Classic final on Sunday. Photo: AFP

Tears for Naomi Osaka as she retires from Auckland final, days before Australian Open

Naomi Osaka is emotional after forfeiting her match against Clara Tauson of Denmark. Photo: AP

Naomi Osaka is consoled by Clara Tauson after pulling out of the Auckland Classic final. Photo: AFP

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Portuguese Machado delivers a cross during one of his early Kitchee outings. Photo: Kitchee SC

Luis Machado is keen to pass on his experience to Kitchee’s younger generation. Photo: Kitchee SC

Machado joined Kitchee after three years with Polish top division team Radomiak Radom. Photo: Kitchee SC

Sport

Tennis

The 2019 and 2021 champion was in tears last Sunday after abdominal injury forced her to quit her first WTA Tour final in almost three years


The 2019 and 2021 champion was in tears last Sunday after abdominal injury forced her to quit her first WTA Tour final in almost three years.


Naomi Osaka