Disaster for the Australian Open as one of the world’s top players pulls out at the last minute – and Naomi Osaka breaks down in tears and releases cryptic statement

Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova has withdrawn from the Australian Open with a back injury, as concerns grow over tennis stars Naomi Osaka and Iga Swiatek.

The Czech world number 10 first suffered the injury during last year’s Asian swing and looked hampered during the season-ending WTA final in Saudi Arabia in November.

“I wanted to share a short update on my withdrawal from the Australian Open,” Krejcikova wrote on X.

‘Unfortunately, my back injury, which bothered me at the end of last season, has still not fully healed.

“It’s disappointing because I love playing in Melbourne and have such great memories of reaching the quarter-finals last year… I’m working hard to get back to full health.

“I can’t wait to see you on the field soon.”

The Czech world number 10 says she has still not recovered from a back injury

Two-time Open champion Naomi Osaka is also in doubt after withdrawing from the Auckland Classic final on Sunday with a stomach ache.

Osaka had just won the first set against Clara Tauson before retiring in obvious distress.

She later released a statement on Instagram, writing, “I have come to the conclusion that what is meant for me is meant for me and perhaps certain situations arise to train my mind for what is to come.

“Maybe bigger and better things are coming my way and I just have to continue the journey to encounter them….”

Meanwhile, Iga Swiatek has allayed fears she may not be fit for the Australian Open, with the world number 2 declaring herself on track for the season-opening grand slam in Melbourne.

Swiatek appeared to be in tears as she left the field after Sunday night’s United Cup defeat to Coco Gauff after needing a medical timeout late in the 6-4 6-4 defeat.

The five-time Grand Slam champion admitted she needed treatment for a problem other than her left thigh problem, which required withdrawals in Poland’s semi-final win over Kazakhstan.

However, Swiatek insisted there were no major concerns and she was just suffering from wear and tear after a grueling workload of five singles matches and two mixed doubles in the space of seven days.

Naomi Osaka was in tears after suffering an abdominal injury while playing in the final of a WTA tournament in Auckland

Iga Swiatek has allayed fears she may not be fit for the Australian Open after needing a medical timeout during her match

“Sure, I wasn’t feeling fresh today, but I’ll be good,” she said.

“Nothing really happened, like I was just tired.”

Swiatek had not played an official match for seven weeks since serving a one-month doping ban after the WTA Finals in early November.

‘Especially at the beginning of the tournament it was quite big, but to be honest it’s all going well.

“I’m definitely happy because I also played against some heavy hitters this week, and also some girls who played topspin, and was able to play really great tennis against both (styles).

‘Today I couldn’t give 100 percent. Coco also played great and she is definitely improving.

‘But I’m really happy with the week and I feel like the things I’ve been working on have really improved.

“But on the other hand, this week for the Australian Open is a different story, so I’m going to take everything one step at a time and continue the work I’ve been doing.”

Swiatek becomes the women’s second seed at the Australian Open, ahead of Coco Gauff

Swiatek will be the women’s second seed ahead of Gauff, despite Gauff leading Team USA to United Cup glory with an undefeated season in Perth and Sydney.

Defending champion Jannik Sinner tops the men’s rankings, with Australia’s great hope Alex de Minaur set to rise one spot in the rankings to No. 8 after winning both his United Cup matches to secure an all-important top-flight finish achieved eight.

De Minaur is guaranteed not to face a higher-ranked rival such as Sinner, third seed Carlos Alcaraz or ten-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic until the quarter-finals.