Australian Open officials are “quietly resigned” to two-time champion Naomi Osaka missing this year’s event, with the star still overseas a week-and-a-half out from the event.
Osaka remains on the tournament’s entry list, but the 25-year-old’s posts on her social media account appear to show her in Los Angeles.
It follows a holiday in Europe with her rapper boyfriend Corade, with Osaka posting photos as her hiatus from tennis hits four months.
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Popryin & Medvedev through to QF | 01:18
The former world number one took a mental health break in 2021 after withdrawing from the French Open and opened up about her mental health struggles.
AAP reports Australian Open officials do not expect Osaka to compete in the tournament.
She last played in Tokyo in September, where she withdrew from the tournament with abdominal pains.
Osaka’s last victory came in the first round of that event, which was against Daria Saville who had to retire after suffering a torn ACL.
It adds to a women’s side of the draw that is wide open, with reigning champion Ash Barty retired along with seven-time champion Serena Williams.
The Australian Open draw takes place next Thursday.
