Everything had been set up for Naomi Osaka to be the new queen of Auckland tennis, joining a group of A-list champions like Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Ana Ivanovic and Coco Gauff.
Osaka’s ascension had looked almost pre-determined, given the way she had improved across the week, while seeds fell all around her, and that feeling only increased after a dominant start to Sunday’s final against world No 50 Clara Tauson.
But it wasn’t to be, with the injury suffered by the Japanese star towards the end of the first set, which forced her to retire from the match after taking the opening bracket 6-4 - only the second such occurrence in a women’s final here since 1956.
It was a calamity. Especially for Osaka – who had put so much into this week – and now faces an uncertain build-up ahead of the Australian Open. But also for the occasion, the tournament and the crowd. And her opponent Tauson, who admitted afterwards it was the worst final of her career.
Injuries happen in sport – particularly tennis – but what a time to strike. Osaka had waited more than 1000 days to reach another WTA final and this one was special, the first since her return from maternity leave. It appeared to be an abdominal or hip flexor problem, occurring in the penultimate game of the first set. Osaka powered down her serve in the following game but still did enough to take the set, before a WTA doctor was called on court.
After a five-minute examination, the signal was made to the umpire, who announced the match was over. Osaka – who was in tears – then approached Tauson, who tried to console her opponent.
Osaka didn’t elaborate on what had happened immediately after the match. After joking that she didn’t eat her regular breakfast on Sunday morning – after following the same routine since arrival in Auckland – “Maybe that’s why I should stick to my superstitions” – the 27-year-old was brief.
“I just want to thank everyone for welcoming me to such a beautiful city,” said Osaka. “I had a lot of fun playing here and I’m really sorry about how it ended, but I hope that you enjoyed the tennis that we did play and I’m just really grateful.”
For her part, the champion Tauson seemed as downcast as her opponent.
Clara Tauson claimed the ASB Classic title. Photo / Photosport
“I have to say that I’m really sorry about this final and Naomi was playing some great tennis,” said Tauson. “So that’s the worst final I’ve ever played for me emotionally because I can’t feel happy and I’m just sad about what happened. Happy that I won, but not really.”
As the players spoke – everyone watching on, the crowd, the officials, the volunteers – seemed in a state of disbelief. There had been 65 previous women’s finals played on the Stanley St court – dating back to 1956 – and this was only the second time a player had failed to complete the match, after Flavia Pennetta withdrew in the third set of the 2012 decider against Zheng Jie.
You had to feel for Osaka, who was tracking towards the first WTA 250 title of her illustrious career.
A former world No 1 Junior, Tauson will take pride from a trying week. She survived a second round epic against Sofia Kenin, where she was down match point, then eliminated top seed Madison Keys on Saturday.
Osaka’s road had been easier, though not entirely straightforward.
On Sunday, in near perfect conditions, Osaka broke in the third game. It was set up by an unlikely retrieval – with Tauson duffing the volley – before the Japanese controlled the next two points. After holding to love, Osaka went to another level to gain another break. There was a bullet backhand, leaving the Dane with no chance, followed by a forehand down the line in the next rally and a big yell of “Come on”!
The former world No 1 was in the zone, while Tauson was feeling the relentless pressure of the Osaka return. However, the Dane stemmed the bleeding, with a gutsy hold at 5-1 – helped by three consecutive aces – before an improbable break. The European saved at set point - following in a deep serve – and held again for 5-4. During that changeover, Osaka approached her coaching team, before converting her second set point with a one-two punch.
