Four-time champion Naomi Osaka has confirmed her participation in the upcoming WTA 1000 event in Dubai. When Osaka takes to the court in Dubai next week, it will mark her first appearance at the tournament in five years. After debuting in Dubai in 2017, Osaka also competed in 2018 and 2019. Her best performance came in 2018, reaching the quarterfinals before losing to Elina Svitolina.
Following her quarterfinal run in 2018, Osaka returned to the tournament the following year as a seeded player. However, she suffered an early defeat to Kristina Mladenovic in her opening match. Now, five years later, Osaka is set to compete in Dubai once again, this time as a mother.
In Dubai, Osaka will face tough competition from top players such as Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, and Elena Rybakina, who will also be participating in the tournament.
Dubai CEO Colin McLoughlin expressed his pleasure at welcoming Osaka back to Dubai for the WTA tournament, which will feature some of the world’s best female players. Tournament director Salah Tahlak also expressed his excitement about Osaka’s participation, highlighting her impressive pedigree and stature.
Currently, Osaka is competing in the WTA 1000 tournament in Doha. After winning her first two matches, she received a walkover in the round-of-16 due to Lesia Tsurenko’s injury. On Thursday, Osaka will face Karolina Pliskova in a highly anticipated match for a spot in the Doha semifinals.
According to the Source tennisworldusa.org