Naomi Osaka cast a bit of concern on her condition after revealing that the MRI results "were not fantastic" but noted that it wasn't the worst of results of either and that she should be ready to play at the Australian Open.
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Last Sunday, the former world No. 1 won the opening set of the Auckland final versus Clara Tauson when she called a physio to the court.
The final never resumed as the 27-year-old retired in tears with her eyes due to an abdominal injury.
But early this week, Osaka arrived at Melbourne Park, where she drew Caroline Garcia in the first round.
"Well, I'm normally a really honest person, but I probably won't answer your question honestly (smiling)," the two-time Australian Open champion said when asked to share her MRI results.
"But, I mean, the MRI, it wasn't fantastic but it wasn't bad at the same time. So saying all that, I'm pretty optimistic about playing my match. I mean, for sure I'm going to play my match.
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"Yeah, I've been practicing pretty well for the two days that I've been here, so... Seems to be going good."
Osaka: I thought my agent was joking when he said I drew Garcia
Last year, the Japanese lost to the Frenchwoman in the Australian Open first round.
Just before the 2024 season, the four-time Grand Slam champion jokingly admitted in one of her interviews that she didn't want to meet Garcia again in the first round at Melbourne Park.
But it is set to happen after the tournament's draw decided so.
"Yeah, I asked Stuart, and I thought he was joking when he said that. I don't know. I feel like we haven't played in a couple of months, so maybe it was to be expected, too (smiling)," Osaka said when asked what was her reaction to drawing the former world No. 4 again.
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"I really respect her a lot. I feel the same energy coming from her."
