Naomi Osaka’s highly anticipated return to the Australian Open, where she is a two-time champion, has been plunged into controversy after her first-round match against Croatian qualifier Antonia Ružić was suspended under extraordinary circumstances. The match, which began with Osaka taking the first set, descended into chaos as both players refused to continue playing, leading to an unprecedented halt in proceedings.
The encounter on Day 3 was a rollercoaster from the start. Osaka, playing her first major since becoming a mother, showcased flashes of her trademark power to claim the opening set. However, the momentum swung dramatically as Ružić, showing impressive resilience, fought back to take the second set and push the former world No. 1 into a tense deciding-set tussle. The fired-up Osaka found herself in a fierce battle against the determined qualifier, whose aggressive baseline game caused significant problems.
In a shocking turn of events, the contest was suspended with both players on court. Reports indicate a mutual refusal from Osaka and Ružić to continue, though the specific reasons—whether related to court conditions, a health issue, or another dispute—remain unclear from the available information. This followed a pre-tournament health update from Osaka that had already raised concerns among her fans, adding another layer of uncertainty to her comeback campaign.
Despite the dramatic interruption, Osaka had previously spoken about her intentions for this tournament, emphasizing a desire to evolve her game. “I want to be more aggressive and more decisive with my game,” she stated, acknowledging she has homework to do to return to the pinnacle of the sport. This match against Antonia Ružić was meant to be the first test of that new approach, but it has instead become a story of unforeseen disruption.
The suspension casts a shadow over what was meant to be a celebratory return for one of tennis’s biggest stars. For Ružić, it interrupts a potentially career-defining performance against a grand slam champion. The tennis world now awaits an official explanation and a resolution, as the fate of this gripping and bizarre first-round clash at the Australian Open hangs in the balance.