But it appears her hiatus is set to come to an end as Osaka touched down in Melbourne ahead of next month’s Australian Open. The major has proved a happy hunting ground for Osaka who has won the competition twice in 2019 and last year. The former world number one was among several players to arrive in Australia. Seventeen charter flights have been organised by Tennis Australia to transport players and support staff from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Los Angeles, Santiago, Tokyo and Singapore.

Meanwhile, Dominic Thiem has withdrawn as he continues his recovery from a wrist injury. The 28-year-old Austrian, who was runner-up in 2020, has not played competitively since suffering an injury in June, which meant he was unable to defend his US Open title. Thiem suffered a setback in his recovery during a recent training camp in Dubai and, although he says he is fully fit again, the former world number three will skip Melbourne Park. 

When is the Australian Open?

The tournament gets underway on January 17 and concludes with the men’s final on January 30.

Where is the Australian Open?

The Australian Open takes place at Melbourne Park in Victoria.

Who is missing at the Australian Open?

Two of the sport’s biggest names – Roger Federer and Serena Williams – will not be in Melbourne next month as they continue to recover from injuries that disrupted their 2021 seasons. 2014 winner and Federer’s Swiss compatriot Stan Wawrinka is also out.

2019 US Open champion Bianca Andreescu is also missing as she takes a break from the tour while former British No 1 Jo Konta announced her retirement from tennis in November.

Australian Open match dates 

• January 17 – Men’s and women’s singles first round
• January 18 – Men’s and women’s singles first round
• January 19 – Men’s and women’s singles second round
• January 20 – Men’s and women’s singles second round
• January 21 – Men’s and women’s singles third round
• January 22 – Men’s and women’s singles third round
• January 23 – Men’s and women’s singles fourth round
• January 24 – Men’s and women’s singles fourth round
• January 25 – Men’s and women’s singles quarter-finals
• January 26 – Men’s and women’s singles quarter-finals
• January 27 – Women’s semi-finals
• January 28 – Men’s semi-finals
• January 29 – Women’s final
• January 20 – Men’s final

How to watch the Australian Open 2022 on TV

Eurosport has the rights to broadcast live action from Melbourne.

Coverage begins at midnight on January 17 for the opening session of the tournament.