Naomi Osaka has turned her Australian Open preparation on its head by pulling out of the Sydney International.
The US Open champion considered her options after "sulking" during her straight-sets loss to world No.27 Lesia Tsurenko in the Brisbane semi-final on Saturday.
Osaka has never played the Sydney International, where she was expected to headline as she continues her preparation for Melbourne amid expectations of a strong showing after a career year.
On Saturday, however, the Japanese second seed was off her game, showing visible frustration as she was dominated by unseeded Ukranian Tsurenko.
"If I'm being really frank, I just feel like I had like the worst attitude today," Osaka said.
"I was sulking a little bit and like there are moments that I tried not to do that.
"But then the ball wouldn't go in and then I would go back to being like childish and stuff."
She was set to join defending champion Angelique Kerber, world No.1 Simona Halep, sixth-ranked Sloane Stephens and Australian No.1 Ashleigh Barty on the Sydney draw.
As third seed, Osaka was to meet Swiss player Timea Bacsinszky in the first round.
