Is Naomi Osaka competing at the Australian Open 2025? Everything to know about the former World No. 1's participation in the Melbourne Major

Despite struggling with an injury at the moment, four-time Major champion Naomi Osaka will be present at the Australian Open 2025. She started the season in fine form, and advanced to her first final since she returned to the tour as a mother at last week's ASB Classic in Auckland.

Osaka secured wins over Lina Glushko, Julia Graber, Hailey Baptiste, and Alycia Parks to set up a showdown for the title against Clara Tauson. The Japanese won the first set of the match 6-4, and was unfortunately forced to throw in the towel after that due to an abdominal injury.

Osaka's woes didn't remain on the court, and she announced her separation with her long-time partner Cordae earlier this week as well. Despite her struggles on and off the court, she's ready to challenge the world's best for the title in Melbourne, where she has reigned supreme twice in the past.

Osaka won the Australian Open 2019, and ascended to the top of the rankings due to her victory as well. She emerged victorious here once again in 2021, and it remains her most recent Major triumph. Having won the tournament twice in the past, one cannot count out a player of her stature. However, to win the title this time, she will have to deal with some quality players right off the bat.

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Naomi Osaka will begin her Australian Open 2025 campaign against Caroline Garcia

Naomi Osaka and Caroline Garcia at the Australian Open 2024. (Photo: Getty)

Naomi Osaka will face a familiar foe in the form of Caroline Garcia in the first round of the Australian Open 2025. The two have split their four meetings evenly to tie the head-to-head at 2-2, with all of their matches being decided in straight sets.

Osaka won their very first duel at the Australian Open 2021, and went on to win the title. They met in the first round of the Melbourne Major last year, and Garcia came out on top. The former World No. 1 took the lead in their rivalry once again with a win at the Qatar Open a few weeks later.

Garcia managed to level their head-to-head with a win at the Miami Open after that. Osaka was in the early stages of her comeback last year, a position Garcia finds herself in this time. The latter shut down her 2024 season in September, with her last result being a semifinal appearance at the Guadalajara Open.

Despite beating Osaka twice last year, Garcia tallied fewer wins than her. The Frenchwoman had a 17-17 record last year, while Osaka posted a 22-18 record. If the Japanese makes it through her opener, then she is likely to face Karolina Muchova in the second round, who beat at this stage at last year's US Open.

Jelena Ostapenko could await Osaka in the third round, followed by a blockbuster showdown with Coco Gauff in the fourth round. The American ended her title defense back here in 2020, and given her form, could be responsible for her ouster once again.