Belinda Bencic advanced to the Australian Open fourth round in unexpected and bittersweet fashion as Naomi Osaka retired from their third-round match due to an abdominal injury. The Swiss star, herself a new mother, displayed heartfelt empathy for Osaka with a touching gesture and kind words.
A painful end for Osaka
Osaka, visibly struggling with her movement throughout the match, retired after dropping the first set 7-6 (3). The four-time Grand Slam champion, who has expressed her desire to make a triumphant return as a mother, was visibly emotional as her Australian Open journey came to an abrupt end.
The 27-year-old later revealed that she had been battling the injury since the start of the season, with her condition worsening after a grueling second-round victory over Karolina Muchova.
“Obviously after my last match, it got way worse,” Osaka admitted. “It was just a little inevitable. But the competitor in me just wanted to see it through until the end.”
Bencic’s classy response
Rather than celebrating her victory, Bencic took a moment to show solidarity with Osaka. The 2021 Tokyo Olympics gold medalist wrote a heartfelt message on the camera lens after the match:
“Get well soon mama ❤️”
Bencic, who gave birth to her first child last year, later expressed her compassion for Osaka during the post-match interview.
“At this moment, I really feel for Naomi,” Bencic said. “I saw her struggling a bit at the end of the set. It’s not the way you’d like the match to end. Hopefully she’ll be fine soon and can play well for the rest of the season.”
Osaka’s fighting spirit
Despite the injury, Osaka fought valiantly through her second-round match, but the demands of the Melbourne heat and competition ultimately took their toll. Her decision to step away from the match against Bencic highlighted her physical limitations and the need for recovery.
“I was doing daily treatments and exercises, but after my last match, I knew playing a full match today would be a tough ask,” Osaka said.
A season of resilience ahead
For Osaka, the setback is a difficult start to a season she hoped would mark a resurgence in her career. Her determination to compete despite the injury underscores her commitment to returning to the top of the sport.
Bencic, meanwhile, moves on to the fourth round with her eyes on a deep run in Melbourne but carries the respect of fans and peers alike for her empathetic response to a fellow competitor’s pain.