Tennis Australian Open Women's Singles -

'Very sad' - Expert reaction to Naomi Osaka's sudden mid-match retirement against Belinda Bencic at Australian Open

React to this story

Eurosport expert Mats Wilander has labelled Naomi Osaka's mid-match retirement in the third round of the Australian Open as "very sad". The former world No. 1, a two-time champion in Melbourne, was forced to offer her hand in defeat to opponent Belinda Bencic at the changeover just after she had lost the first set 7-6(3) at John Cain Arena. Osaka said she felt the injury was "inevitable".

'Oh no, really sad to see' - Osaka retires injured during match with Bencic

Video credit: TNT Sports

Eurosport expert Mats Wilander said it was "very sad" to see Naomi Osaka forced to retire from her third-round match at the Australian Open.

The Japanese former world No. 1 was clearly struggling with an abdominal strain as she faced Belinda Bencic at John Cain Arena.

Osaka, the two-time Australian Open champion, had led the match 5-2 before being stricken with injury, which allowed Bencic a foothold back into the contest as the Swiss, who has just returned after giving birth, forced a tie-break.

US Open Mixed Doubles -

Djokovic to partner Sabalenka in US Open mixed doubles, but Alcaraz, Sinner among absentees

28/07/2026 at 18:01

Osaka’s serve was severely affected and she began simply arming the ball over the net. Bencic began to take advantage, and the gold medallist at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games snared first blood, 7-3 in the breaker.

It prompted Osaka to offer her hand in resignation at the changeover, in too much pain to battle on.

Wilander, himself a three-time champion in Melbourne, claimed Osaka is on the "comeback trail" under the guidance of new coach Patrick Mouratoglou despite the disappointing outcome.

"[It’s] very sad," Wilander told Eurosport.

"She was playing great - in that first set too - and suddenly she couldn’t serve at all. But she’s on her way back. In terms of her tennis, she’s on a good comeback trail.

"[Mouratoglou] is going to do a great job with her. He knows exactly what it takes, working with Serena Williams for so long, and working on the men’s circuit as well. She’s obviously very keen to get back to the top of her game, and the most important part is that she seems to be enjoying being out there again.

"It was very sad a few years ago when she came out with mental health issues, and didn’t want to play tennis, but now she’s back."

'Worrying times' as Osaka struggles with abdominal injury

Video credit: TNT Sports

Fellow Eurosport pundit Tim Henman agreed, saying that Osaka’s tennis "was there" but that she needed to ensure that she recovered fully to avoid her body breaking down.

"She’s been playing great tennis, and her ball-striking is absolutely out of the top drawer, but if you have an injury like an abdominal strain, it’s not one of those things that you can battle through because you can feel it getting worse and worse," Henman explained.

"Her serve speed was going down and down. It’ll be hugely disappointing, because she’d been playing some great tennis.

"She’s not out there just to make up the numbers. She wants to be competing for and picking up the big titles. The tennis is there, she’s going to have to go away and take care of the physicality to make sure that her body doesn’t break down going forward."

Osaka: Injury was inevitable

Osaka's season started with her retiring from the Auckland final with an abdominal issue.

Although she managed to win two matches in Melbourne, she says the injury "got way worse" after her second-round win against Karolina Muchova - and had required plenty of treatment.

"It was a little hectic trying to manage it, because obviously my draw was quite tough," said the former world No. 1.

"But we were also doing everything we could, like I was going to therapy every day and stuff like that into the night. So the days have been very long for me. Obviously after my last match it got way worse. So credit to her for being such a good opponent.

"But yeah, it was just, I guess, a little inevitable, but I think the competitor in me just wanted to see it through until the end."

Osaka says injury was 'inevitable' after retiring hurt against Bencic

Video credit: SNTV

Reflecting on her performance, she added: "I feel like the positives is why I'm negative, because I feel like if I could have served, then I could have potentially won, and I could have maybe gone far in the tournament.

"So it's kind of hard just to stay in the moment sometimes in regards to, like, getting injured, because obviously I was in the final in Auckland, too, and it sucks, because I also think I could have maybe won that tournament and it could have been, like, my first tournament win back.

"But yeah, I do have to see it as I think I played really well today regardless of the fact that I was injured. And it was really fun to play such a close battle. I thought the points were fun while I was playing them. Yeah, I just hope that I can figure it out and figure out how to get healthy in time."

'Tough to be happy now - I feel for Naomi'

Bencic showed compassion for her injured opponent when she spoke to Eurosport's Barbara Schett post-match.

The former world No. 4 admitted that it was "tough to be happy" about her victory, and also said that she had nearly not played at the Australian Open.

"It’s really tough to be happy right now, I feel for Naomi," Bencic told Eurosport.

"I could see her struggling late in the set. I realised that something was not right. I tried to focus on myself. You never know, it’s tricky when you see the other player is struggling. I hope all the best for her, so she can recover. I will be happy; I’m in the fourth round.

"If we didn’t get into the United Cup, I wouldn’t have played [at the Australian Open]. That’s a crazy thought.

Raducanu 'will love the challenge' of facing Swiatek - Robson

Video credit: TNT Sports

"At the start of the match, I was reminding myself ‘Don’t get your expectations up again’. I’m literally just starting [again]. It’s super nice, my comeback is going so much better than I ever imagined. It’s really nice, I’m enjoying it.I played some tournaments last season, back to back.

"I feel a Grand Slam is easier for me as you have a day off. Usually, I prefer to play back to back so I don’t get out of my rhythm, but now, it’s nice to have a day off and recover the body. I’m feeling much better than I expected."

Asked whether she was most looking forward to some physiotherapy recovery, or an embrace from her child, who was born just eight months ago, Bencic said: "The cuddle [from daughter Bella] gives you the most energy; it’s healing as well.

"It puts a smile on my face and I can’t wait to do it right now."

Watch and stream the 2025 Australian Open live on Eurosport and discovery+

Wimbledon Women's Singles -