Four-times a Major champion, Osaka hasn’t won a tour-level title since she lifted the trophy in Melbourne back in 2021.

She came close to doing so in the first week of 2025, however, as Osaka reached the final of the ASB Classic in Auckland.

Facing off against Denmark’s Clara Tauson, Osaka retired after winning the first set, as she struggled with an abdominal injury.

The 27-year-old recovered to reach the third round of the Australian Open, her best result at a Major since giving birth to her daughter in 2023.

Looking to advance to the last 16, her abdominal problems flared up again, as Osaka retired injured against Belinda Bencic after losing a first-set tiebreaker.

She had hoped to make a swift return to action on the WTA Tour, before encountering a further setback, announced earlier on Friday.

Naomi Osaka withdraws from the 2025 Abu Dhabi Open

Osaka had been scheduled to take part in the Abu Dhabi Open WTA 500 event which was set to begin on February 3.

Unfortunately for the world number 42, she is yet to recover from the injury she picked up earlier this month and has been forced to withdraw from the event.

She had hoped to improve on her 2024 performance at the event, where she lost in the first round to American star Danielle Collins 5-7, 0-6.

Injuries have plagued the Japanese star’s career in recent months, as Osaka was forced to end her 2024 season early due to issues with her back.

Having retired from her competitive China Open clash with Coco Gauff in October last year, Osaka withdrew from two big events in October and November.

• Hong Kong Open
• Billie Jean King Cup Finals

Missing the Billie Jean King Cup Finals was a huge loss for Japan, who were looking to cause a big upset in Malaga.

The Japanese battled valiantly and secured a big win over Romania in the first round to qualify for the quarter-finals of the event for the first time in 11 years.

It was there that they came unstuck, however, as Jasmine Paolini and Sara Errani sent them home in the deciding doubles as they lost 2-1.

Who will play in the 2025 Abu Dhabi Open following Naomi Osaka’s withdrawal?

Fans may be disappointed to see Osaka withdraw from the Middle Eastern event, but tournament organizers will be keen to remind fans of the other top stars who’ll be taking part next week.

Plenty of big names are headed to Abu Dhabi, including 2025 champion Elena Rybakina, who’ll be looking to bounce back after a disappointing fourth-round exit in Australia.

• 1. Elena Rybakina
• 2. Paula Badosa
• 3. Daria Kasatkina
• 4. Yulia Putintseva
• 5. Liudmila Samsonova
• 6. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova
• 7. Jelena Ostapenko
• 8. Leylah Fernandez

Another top star set to appear at the event is Emma Raducanu, who was handed a Wild Card to the qualifying tournament.

However, many have speculated that the 2021 US Open champion may have been promoted to the main draw in Abu Dhabi.

This speculation comes after the Brit wasn’t seen included in the qualifying draw, made earlier in the day.

It remains to be seen if Raducanu will take part in Abu Dhabi or if she’ll join Osaka in withdrawing from the event, but all will no doubt become clear before the event kicks off on February 3.

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