Osaka’s tearful retirement in Auckland Open final helps Tauson win title
The former world No 1 from Japan quit after the first set due to abdomen injury in the ASB Classic title clash on Sunday
Photosports for MTG
Dane Clara Tauson, the No 5 seed, won the Auckland Open title when Japanese Naomi Osaka, the No 7 seed, retired on Sunday at the ASB Tennis Arena. Tauson, ranked No 50, trailed 6-4 when Osaka, ranked No 57, pulled out.
The former world No 1 from Japan came out all guns blazing as she secured a double break to go 5-1 up. Tauson started a fightback, winning the following three games to unsettle Osaka, but the latter eventually prevailed in the first set before calling a medical timeout for abdomen discomfort during the break.
Due to injury, Osaka has retired from the match. Clara Tauson is the champion with a final score of 4-6.
— wta (@WTA) January 5, 2025
We wish you a speedy recovery, Naomi 💜#ASBClassic25 pic.twitter.com/jIyhBDfkFA
“I have to say that I’m really sorry about this final,” Tauson said in her speech. “Naomi was playing some great tennis today, so that was the worst final I ever played, for me, emotionally. I can’t feel happy, and I’m just sad about what happened today, but of course, when I process this, I’m going to be super happy about this week. I played a lot of tennis on this court. I’m happy that I won, but not really.”
Tauson’s trophy cabinet now notably boasts of three tour-level titles. Also, this was a first final for the Dane on the tour since 2021and a first for the Japanese since 2022.
“I’m really sorry about how it ended”
Osaka understandably broke down while receiving the treatment. After the match, she offered an apology to the fans for not being able to compete all the way through.
“I just want to thank everyone for welcoming me to such a beautiful city,” Osaka said. “I had a lot of fun playing here, and I’m really sorry about how it ended. I hope you enjoyed the tennis that we did play, and I’m just really grateful to be here.”
Ahead of her victory, Clara Tauson beat Lucrezia Stefanini (6-2, 6-3), American Sofia Kenin (4-6, 7-6 (7), 7-6 (3)), American Madison Keys, the top seed (6-4, 7-6 (7)) and American Robin Montgomery (6-4, 6-3).
Naomi Osaka defeated Lina Glushko (6-4, 6-4), Austrian Julia Grabher (7-5, 6-3), American Hailey Baptiste (6-7 (2), 6-1, 6-2) and American Alycia Parks (6-4, 6-2) in the previous rounds of the Auckland tournament.
