Tennis: Osaka pulls out of Australian Open with left abdominal injury

The 2019 and 2021 champion was scheduled to face home qualifier Maddison Inglis in the third round of the women's singles at the first Grand Slam of the year.

"I've had to make the difficult decision to withdraw to address something my body needs attention for after my last match," Osaka, seeded 16th, wrote on Instagram.

"I was so excited to keep going and this run meant the most to me, so having to stop here breaks my heart but I can't risk doing any further damage so I can get back on the court."

The 28-year-old beat Antonia Ruzic of Croatia and Sorana Cirstea of Romania in the first two rounds in Melbourne, both in three sets.

Her victory on Thursday over Cirstea was marred by an exchange of words near the umpire's chair after an ill-tempered handshake at mid-court, prompted by Cirstea's objection to Osaka yelling "Come on" between the Romanian's first and second serves during the decisive set.

"Thanks for all the love and support... I'm so grateful everyone embraced me so much. And thank you to my whole team for always having my back and the tournament organisers," she wrote.

Click here to read article