A dramatic week at the 2025 ASB Classic ended with Danish fifth seed Clara Tauson claiming the women’s singles title.
The final took an unexpected turn when Japanese star Naomi Osaka, leading in the first set, retired due to a core injury. The victory marked Tauson’s third WTA title and her first since 2021.
The tournament was full of challenges, with several key players withdrawing due to injuries. Kiwi favourite Lulu Sun exited in the first round, and Belgian second seed Elise Mertens, along with former US Open champion Emma Raducanu, were unable to compete in their opening matches. Tauson herself faced a gruelling schedule, playing three matches on Saturday due to rain delays.
In the final, Osaka started strong, taking a 5-1 lead in the first set. However, Tauson fought back to narrow the gap before Osaka sought medical attention. After consulting her coach and medical staff, Osaka decided to retire, prioritising recovery for the upcoming Australian Open.
“I’m really sorry about this final,” Tauson said, expressing sympathy for Osaka. “It’s hard to feel happy when it ends like this, but I’m proud of my week.”
Osaka, playing in her first final since becoming a mother in 2023, thanked the Auckland crowd, saying, “I had a lot of fun playing here and I’m grateful to be back.”
Both players are expected to see their world rankings improve ahead of the Australian Open, where Tauson aims to surpass her previous best performance of reaching the third round.
