Osaka is another mystery to the tennis world

Vortex and worries about the former number one in the tennis world. Ten days before the start of the Australian Open, Naomi Osaka cannot be found by the organizers of the first Grand Slam tournament of the year.

It is currently unclear whether the Japanese, who is still on the official list of participants in the Australian Open, will take part in the tournament. The organizers don't even know if she even entered Australia. If you look at her Instagram profile, however, this can be strongly doubted.

In an Instagram post just after Christmas, Osaka posted some photos from vacationing in Europe with American rapper Cordae while he was on tour in October. One of the pictures shows the two in the French capital Paris, where they posed in front of the famous painting of the Mona Lisa in the Louvre.

A second hint that Osaka is still not in Australia appeared most recently on her Instagram Story when she was photographed at a Pilates studio in Los Angeles. The Australian "Associated Press" has now reported that Osaka is on the entry list, but the organizers have agreed that the 25-year-old will not open at Melbourne Park.

The report goes on to say that some even question whether she will ever return to the tennis court. Osaka went on mental hiatus after the 2021 French Open and later revealed she had struggled with depression and anxiety for several years.

Osaka, who have now slipped to 42 in the world rankings, have not played a match since retiring in Tokyo in September with a stomach ache and have won just one game since May last year. The draw for the Australian Open will take place next Thursday. And all eyes are on the entry list to see if Osaka is in it or not.

Meanwhile, for men, Novak Djokovic made the dream semifinals at the ATP tournament in Adelaide perfect at the preparatory tournament for the Australian Open. The 35-year-old Serb won against Canadian Denis Shapovalov 6-3, 6-4 on Friday and was in good shape before the spectacle in Melbourne.

Djokovic, for whom it was the 100th success in Australia in his career, now meets Daniil Mewedew (26) in the fight for the final on Saturday. The Russian had previously clearly prevailed against his compatriot Karen Khachanov 6: 3, 6: 3. In the other semi-final, American Sebastian Korda and Yoshihito Nishioka from Japan face off.

It's a special return to Australia for Djokovic. A year ago, the long-standing number one in the tennis world had to leave the country before his first game at the Australian Open because of his lack of vaccination against the corona virus. His visa had previously been canceled and an entry ban of three years imposed. The entry ban has now been lifted by the Australian authorities. "It's great to be back in Australia," the Serb said after his arrival last week.