Osaka, the 2019 and 2021 Australian Open Champion, has not been able to play in the WTA since September. She has since slipped to No.42 in the world rankings.
There was no reason given for Osaka’s withdrawal from the tournament.
In Osaka’s place, Australian Open officials have promoted Ukrainian Dayana Yastremska, to take up the Canadian’s place in the main draw.
The last time Osaka appeared in a tournament was at the 2022 Toray Pan Pacific Open where she was also the defending champion but had to withdraw because of abdominal pain.
Prior to her Tokyo exit, Osaka had been suffering from first-round exits, including the French Open. She also had to withdraw from last year’s Wimbledon because of an ankle injury. The year before she had withdrawn from Roland Garros, citing that she was suffering from long bouts of depression.
In 2022, Osaka made it to the third round of the Australian Open. She was that year’s defending champion.
Osaka is not the only one to have withdrawn from the Australian Open.
Also not appearing is seven-time Grand Slam winner Venus Williams and Spanish wonder Carlos Alcaraz.
It is still not known if British Number 1 Emma Raducanu will be participating. She’s already had some early trouble when she rolled her ankle at the ASB Classic on Thursday, forcing her to quit midway through the match.
The Australian Open is set to start on January 16 in Melbourne.