• Naomi Osaka withdraws from the Australian Open 2026 with an abdominal injury.
  • Australian qualifier Maddison Inglis receives a bye into the fourth round.
  • Top seeds Novak Djokovic and Iga Swiatek continued their third-round action in Melbourne.

H2: Osaka pulls out with abdominal issue

Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from the Australian Open 2026, citing an abdominal injury that forced her to pull out before a scheduled third-round match against Australian qualifier Maddison Inglis. The four-time Grand Slam champion announced the decision on Instagram, saying she needed to “address something my body needs attention for after my last match” and did not want to risk further damage.

Instagram post (Osaka): “I’ve had to make the difficult decision to withdraw to address something my body needs attention for after my last match. I was so excited to keep going and this run meant the most to me, so having to stop here breaks my heart but I can’t risk doing any further damage so I can get back on the court. Thanks for all the love and support… I’m so grateful everyone embraced me so much. And thank you to my whole team for always having my back and the tournament organisers for being so kind.”

H3: Maddison Inglis advances to last 16

As a result of Osaka’s withdrawal, Maddison Inglis, the Australian qualifier ranked 168th in the world, advances to the fourth round without playing the scheduled match. It is a career-boosting moment for Inglis, who progressed through qualifying and will now have a run in the last 16 on home soil.

Tournament commentators and BBC correspondents described Osaka’s decision as a “big blow to the draw” but a clear opportunity for Inglis. For a qualifier to reach the last 16 at a Grand Slam is a significant achievement and offers Inglis extra ranking points, prize money and exposure on the sport’s biggest stage.

H2: Context from other centre-court action

The withdrawal came during a packed morning session in Melbourne, with other marquee matches unfolding. Novak Djokovic was in control against Botic van de Zandschulp, taking the first set 6-3 and breaking early in the second. On Margaret Court Arena, second seed Iga Swiatek saw a dramatic swing in form against Anna Kalinskaya in a match that featured a 6-1 set both ways before Kalinskaya clinched the second set 6-1.

These matches underlined the unpredictable nature of Grand Slam tennis, where form, fitness and conditions can quickly change the picture for both favourites and underdogs.

H3: What this means for the draw

Inglis will now prepare for a fourth-round opponent and the added spotlight that comes with progressing deeper into a major. Tournament organisers will update the schedule, and fans who had been hoping to see Osaka will miss out on one of the headline names in the women’s draw.

For Osaka, the priority is recovery. Her short Instagram message stressed the need to protect her long-term health and return to competition when fully fit. For Inglis, this unexpected bye offers a rare and valuable opportunity to capitalise on home support and continue her breakthrough at Melbourne Park.

Image Referance: https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/live/ce8gr70jy12t