Despite leading by a set to love, Osaka retired from the ASB Classic final against Clara Tauson, having suffered an abdominal injury.

Returning in Melbourne, the former world number one took down Caroline Garcia in the first round, before Osaka upset Karolina Muchova to book her spot in the third round.

It was there that her run came to an end, however, as Osaka retired against Belinda Bencic, with her abdominal injury flaring up once more.

Osaka then withdrew from the Abu Dhabi Open and is now not expected to return to the court until Indian Wells, which begins on March 3.

She’ll be hoping to return to full fitness for the remainder of the WTA season and has now been confirmed as a participant in a brand-new tournament later this year.

Naomi Osaka announced as first participant for the new Queen’s Club WTA 500 event

While Osaka recovers from injury, she and her team are looking ahead to the rest of the year, as she has now been confirmed for a tournament in June.

Osaka will play in the new WTA 500 Queen’s Club event, led by tournament director Laura Robson.

Speaking to the Lawn Tennis Association, Osaka revealed just how ‘excited’ she is to be a part of tennis history in London later this year.

“To be a part of the first women’s event at the LTA’s HSBC Championships in over 50 years is exciting and something that makes me incredibly proud,” she said.

“It’s very special to compete at an historic venue like The Queen’s Club, and with the strength of the women’s game right now, it’s going to be a fantastic event.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge and I will give everything to lift that title this summer.”

Women last competed at the Queen’s Club championships in 1973, when Soviet star Olga Morozova took down Australia’s Evonne Goolagong-Cawley in the final.

WTA legends Chris Evert and Margaret Court had lifted the trophy in 1972 and 1971 before the event was cut from 1974 onwards.

Naomi Osaka’s grass-court record

Osaka has won seven WTA titles during her career to date, all seven of which came on hard courts.

The four-time Major champion has yet to reach a final on clay or grass despite playing on the WTA Tour for 11 years.

Having focused primarily on hard courts, Osaka has played just 26 matches on grass throughout her career.

Of those 26 matches, Osaka has won 14, giving her a 54% win rate on the surface.

Her Wimbledon record is similar, winning just over 50% of her matches at SW19.

She’ll be looking to improve on her record this time around when the tournament begins on June 15.

Can Naomi Osaka replicate her 2018 Indian Wells success when she returns to tennis next month?

The Japanese world number 44’s first WTA 1000 victory came at Indian Wells seven years ago, when she lifted the trophy dropping just one set all tournament.

• F – Beat Daria Kasatkina, 6-3, 6-2
• SF – Beat Simona Halep, 6-3, 6-0
• QF – Beat Karolina Pliskova, 6-2, 6-3
• 4R – Beat Maria Sakkari, 6-1, 5-7, 6-1
• 3R – Beat Sachia Vickery, 6-3, 6-3
• 2R – Beat Agnieszka Radwanska, 6-3, 6-2
• 1R – Beat Maria Sharapova, 6-4, 6-4

Osaka beat Daria Kasatkina in straight sets to clinch the title in California, 6-3, 6-2.

She won seven matches on her way to the title in 2018 but has won just six more matches since, as she struggles to perform against the very best of women’s tennis.

Fans of the WTA Tour will know just how dangerous Osaka can be when fully fit, however, and it would be wise to count her out when tennis heads to Indian Wells on March 3.