It was an anticlimactic finish to the match and Tauson said winning her third WTA Tour title after a similar drought did not gloss over the worst final that she had played.

“I have to say I’m really sorry about this final. Naomi was playing some great tennis. I just feel said about what happened today,” Tauson said.

“Of course, when I process this, I’m going to be super happy about my week. I’m happy that I won, but not really.”

Osaka, who won the last of her four Grand Slam trophies at the Australian Open in 2021, returned to the circuit a year ago after a long maternity break, but struggled for consistency and ended the season ranked outside the top 50.

She showed glimpses of just how devastating she can be in Auckland and grabbed a double break against Tauson with powerful hitting on both flanks in the opening set, which she wrapped up 6-4 despite dropping serve late on.

But the 27-year-old from Japan had tears in her eyes as she had an apparent abdominal issue checked out on court before the start of the next set and threw in the towel, sparking concerns about her fitness for this month’s Australian Open.

She cut a more cheerful figure at the presentation ceremony, joking that skipping breakfast might have led to her defeat.

“I just want to thank everyone for welcoming me to such a beautiful city and I had a lot of fun playing here,” said Osaka, without going into detail about her problem.

“I’m really sorry about how it ended but I hope you enjoyed the tennis that we did play. I’m just grateful to be here.”

Naomi Osaka’s Injury Keeps Her Out of Auckland Classic Final

Naomi Osaka had a setback just one week before the Australian Open began when she pulled out of Sunday’s Auckland Classic final due to an abdominal issue.

Playing against Clara Tauson of Denmark in her first WTA final in three years, the four-time Grand Slam champion dropped out shortly after winning the first set 6-4 and called for the physio.

It was unexpected that Osaka withdrew after playing flawlessly in the first set, which lasted 35 minutes, and using strong groundstrokes to break her opponent in the third and fifth games.

The 27-year-old arose during a medical break at the changeover and stretched multiple times.

She shook hands with Tauson, who won her first title since 2021 and her third career crown, after speaking with the trainer.

In a brief courtside interview, Osaka withheld information about the circumstances that led to her withdrawal.

But the WTA claimed in a statement that she retired “due to an abdominal injury.”

“I would want to express my gratitude to everyone for welcoming me to this stunning city. Osaka added, “I hope you enjoyed the tennis that we played and I’m just really grateful to be here.” “I had a lot of fun playing here and I’m sorry about how it ended.”

The week’s conclusion was unimpressive for Osaka, who was vying for her first championship since taking home the 2021 Australian Open.

Before taking a 15-month hiatus and giving birth to her first child in the middle of 2023, she made her most recent last appearance at the Miami Open the following year.

Twelve months after she started playing tennis again, she is currently ranked 57th in the world.