Naomi Osaka wins the first set of the Auckland final, then retires. Clara Tauson is the champ

[Aussie Darcy]

Another day in early 2025 and another retirement.

This one possibly even more bizarre than Machac's retirement last night!

Naomi Osaka led 5-1 against Tauson and was possibly struggling with something, Tauson fought to 5-4 but Naomi still closed out the set at 6-4.

Then suddenly, called for the trainer and retires. Was in tears with Patrick and it made for a bit of an awkward trophy ceremony.

Now Clara Tauson will forever have a career title with a scoreline of 4-6 as the match result.

A title is a title but winning like that would suck.

 

[MichaelNadal]

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Also, within the last 48 hours both tours have already had 6 retirements to start the year:

First Krajicek retired in doubles on Friday in Brisbane QF.
Then Thompson retired in singles against Dimitrov in Brisbane QF.
Then Dimitrov retires against Lehecka on Saturday in the SF.
Shang retired against Nishikori in the SF of Hong Kong on Saturday.
Machac retired against Fritz in the SF of United Cup last night
Now Osaka retires in the Final in Auckland on Sunday.

 

[MeatTornado]

What are these people doing in the off-season that they're already broken down in the 1st week of January?

 

[Sephiroth]

What are these people doing in the off-season

Christmas...holidays...off-season...pretty obvious my guy

 

[Fabresque]

What are these people doing in the off-season that they're already broken down in the 1st week of January?

Beer.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Christmas...holidays...off-season...pretty obvious my guy

Nah it's not normally this bad. This is the 6th now in the last 2 days. There was another earlier in the week in Auckland, today alone in the qualifying of Adelaide saw two more retirements.

 

[dropdropdrop]

A very short off period and sudden high intensity after a short break. What could go wrong? lol

 

[Aussie Darcy]

A very short off period and sudden high intensity after a short break. What could go wrong? lol

What do you mean? Lol, Osaka hasn't played since October and looked great all week? I'd hardly call 2.5 months a short off period by the way.

This amount of retirements in week one of the new year has never happened.

Brisbane had one in the SF AND the QF in the singles AND in doubles.
Hong Kong had one in the SF.
Now Auckland in the final?

 

[dropdropdrop]

What do you mean? Lol, Osaka hasn't played since October and looked great all week? I'd hardly call 2.5 months a short off period by the way.

This amount of retirements in week one of the new year has never happened.

Brisbane had one in the SF AND the QF in the singles AND in doubles.
Hong Kong had one in the SF.
Now Auckland in the final?

More in the sense that any injury rehab etc is always going to be slightly rushed to come back for the beginning of the season? Obviously she's not fully fit if she is re-injured after a week of play.

 

[Tano]

Another day in early 2025 and another retirement.

This one possibly even more bizarre than Machac's retirement last night!

Naomi Osaka led 5-1 against Tauson and was possibly struggling with something, Tauson fought to 5-4 but Naomi still closed out the set at 6-4.

Then suddenly, called for the trainer and retires. Was in tears with Patrick and it made for a bit of an awkward trophy ceremony.

Now Clara Tauson will forever have a career title with a scoreline of 4-6 as the match result.

A title is a title but winning like that would suck.

Melodrama haunts Osaka; that's not going to change.

 

[kevin qmto]

Nobody wants to get too injured to play the AO I guess.

 

[TennisD]

What are these people doing in the off-season that they're already broken down in the 1st week of January?

What off-season exactly are you talking about? Most of these players barely had two months off, which probably boils down to closer to 2-3 weeks to get a proper training camp in. The pro tennis season is insane and it's only been getting worse.

 

[Subway Tennis]

Has there been any more information on what Osaka’s injury is?

 

[Im(moral) Winner]

GOAT

 

[ey039524]

Has there been any more information on what Osaka’s injury is?

Abdominal muscle

 

[RaulRamirez]

"Auckward"!

 

[tennis24x7]

What are these people doing in the off-season that they're already broken down in the 1st week of January?

Just being cautious and not risking the AO prize money. It makes sense to take it light.

 

[MichaelNadal]

"Auckward"!

Sleigh

 

[Bill Lobsalot]

Snowflake.

 

[TennisD]

Snowflake.

Poor take. She had a great tournament.