"Having to stop here breaks my heart but I can't risk doing any further damage" - Heartbreak for Naomi Osaka as former champion forced to withdraw due to injury

Two-time champion Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from the Australian Open due to injury, halting her chance to make more progress throughout the event.

She unveiled the news on her Instagram page, letting her fans know of the sad news that has forced her to withdraw from the event in Melbourne. She had been scheduled to play against Australian qualifier Maddison Inglis later today on Rod Laver Arena, but that will no longer be played out. "I've had to make the difficult decision to withdraw to address something my body needs attention for after may last match," she wrote.

"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 onto the court. 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 for being so kind,"

The Japanese tennis player began her event by walking out on the main show court at Melbourne Park with a flamboyant outfit designed by herself. It was something that caught the whole attention of the tennis world before her opening round matchup against Antonia Ruzic. It was a battle, but the former world number one prevailed in three sets.

She would make more headlines in the next match after another three-set clash against Sorana Cirstea ended in tension at the net. The 'Come On's' being voiced by Osaka in between serves really got under the Romanian's skin, who gave Osaka a frosty handshake before sharing her dissatisfaction with the four-time Grand Slam champion.

It was a hectic opening few days for Osaka, who had found herself in all the headlines. She has done that again, but sadly not for the right reasons. The 28-year-old will play no further part in the tournament, with Inglis into a career-best fourth round at a Grand Slam tournament on home soil. The qualifier will either take on world number two Iga Swiatek or the 31st seed Anna Kalinskaya.