Former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka may have missed out on clinching her first title since 2021 this week in Doha but the Japanese player still thoroughly enjoyed her time in Qatar and expressed her intention to participate in the Qatar Open again next year.
Having made her debut in Doha six years ago, the 26-year-old Osaka made her second appearance at this year’s Qatar Open. Upon arriving in Doha, Osaka was grappling with a three-match losing streak and her self-assurance was shaken. However, her fortunes changed in Doha as she triumphed over Caroline Garcia and Petra Martic, and received a walkover from Lesia Tsurenko in the round-of-16.
On Thursday, Osaka put on another commendable performance against former world No. 1 Karolina Pliskova. However, she ultimately ended up on the losing side as the Czech player emerged victorious after a closely contested battle, with a score of 7-6 (6) 7-6 (5).
“Doha, you are undeniably one of the most captivating cities I have ever visited. It has been an absolute delight to compete here, and I extend my heartfelt gratitude for all the support. I cherish you all and eagerly anticipate my return next year,” Osaka expressed on X.
In both sets, Osaka held a 2-0 lead before Pliskova made a comeback, leading to two tie-breaks, both of which Pliskova won. Pliskova, who now boasts a 5-2 head-to-head record against Osaka, spoke highly of the four-time Grand Slam champion following their match in Doha.
“Defeating all these top players this week is truly incredible. Especially Naomi, she is a true champion,” Pliskova remarked after her victory over Osaka. “We had already played against each other [in 2024], so I knew it wouldn’t be easy. It all came down to a few crucial points and seizing the opportunities, of which there were only a few. I am pleased that I managed to somehow survive without having to endure a third set, as that would have been arduous.”
Meanwhile, Osaka will not be competing until Indian Wells. It was announced on Thursday that she has decided to skip the WTA 1000 event in Dubai next week.
After securing some wins and bolstering her confidence levels in Doha, Osaka will now shift her focus towards preparing for the Sunshine Double in Indian Wells and Miami.
According to the Source tennisworldusa.org