Naomi Osaka withdraws from Aussie Open
Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from this year's Australian Open, the tournament announced Saturday.
The tournament didn't provide a reason for Osaka's withdrawal.
Ukrainian native Dayana Yastremska will take the four-time Grand Slam champ's spot in the main draw.
Seven-time major winner Venus Williams also recently pulled out from the season's first major due to an undisclosed injury sustained this week at the ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand.
Osaka hasn't played since competing in the Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo last September. She wasn't scheduled to compete in any of the Australian Open tuneups.
The former world No. 1 captured the Australian Open singles title in 2019 and 2021, with the latter being her most recent tournament crown.
Osaka is currently ranked 42nd in the world.
The Australian Open begins Jan. 16 in Melbourne.