A four-time Grand Slam champion, Osaka returned from maternity leave last year and lost in the first or second round of all four major tournaments. The 27-year-old Japan native has not won any event on the WTA Tour since capturing her second Australian Open title to start 2021.

In the Australian Open Round of 64 on Tuesday, we have a matchup featuring No. 51-ranked Naomi Osaka versus No. 20 Karolina Muchova.Muchova’s last competition was a win, 6-1, 6-3, over

Naomi Osaka defeated No. 20 Karolina Muchova 1-6, 6-1, 6-3 on Wednesday to reach the third round of a major for the first time since the 2022 Australian Open.

Naomi Osaka said she was enjoying a little bit of revenge against Karolina Muchova at the Australian Open, recalling how the Czech had ended her US Open campaign last year when she was sporting her “best outfit ever”.

Naomi Osaka said she was enjoying a little bit of revenge against Karolina Muchova at the Australian Open on Wednesday, recalling how the Czech had ended her U.S. Open campaign last year when she was sporting her "best outfit ever".

Former Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka fought back from a set down Wednesday to reach the third round of a Grand Slam for the first time since the birth of her daughter in 2023, gaining a "little revenge" for defeat at the US Open.

Naomi Osaka said that she got her "little revenge" on Karolina Muchova as she recovered from a set down to beat the French Open finalist at the Australian Open.

The 1-6, 6-1, 6-3 victory over Karolina Muchova allowed Osaka to reach the third round at a major tournament for the first time since the 2022 season.

When Osaka struggled to lift her arm during the match, it became clear that she was struggling with another abdominal injury. It all began last Fall during her match against Coco Gauff in the China Open. An MRI revealed a bulged disc in her back and ruptured abdominal muscles.

A persistent abdominal injury forced Naomi Osaka to retire during her third round match against Belinda Bencic at the 2025 Australian Open.

Naomi Osaka ’s return to Grand Slam competition ended prematurely on Friday, as the two-time Australian Open champion was forced to retire from her third-round match against Belinda Bencic due to a strained abdominal muscle. Osaka had dropped the opening set in a tiebreaker, 7-6 (3), before informing the chair umpire she could no longer continue.