HomeAsian AmericansAbu Dhabi Blockbuster: Naomi Osaka to Play Grand Slam Finalist

Abu Dhabi Blockbuster: Naomi Osaka to Play Grand Slam Finalist

Continuing her return to tennis, four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka will face 2022 Australian Open finalist Danielle Collins in the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open’s first round.

This will be the third tournament of her post-pregnancy comeback, receiving a wild card to go to Abu Dhabi.

The former world No. 1 went 1-2 in Australia losing to two former Top 10 players, Carolina Pliskova and Caroline Garcia.

Her future first-round opponent, Collins, won two straight-sets matches earning her spot in the main draw. Osaka was randomly drawn to compete against her.

However, the first-round matchup is not the only foreseeable challenge for the returning player; every potential matchup thereafter will be extremely tough. If she moves on from the first round she would then be up against 2022 Wimbledon champion Rybakina.

In July 2023, Osaka had her first child but has since reiterated her strong desire to compete.

After her exit from the Australian Open, Osaka said per Tennis 365, “Coming here and I guess splaying these three tough matches, I feel positive that I’m able to play, I’m at least able to challenge them.”

Tennis World USA also reported that the player is facing frustrations, but is clearly motivated with a strong desire to win.

“The competitive in me is really frustrated that I’m not winning these matches, of course,” Osaka said, per Tennis World USA.

However, she is far from giving up.

“I think my delusion is what allows me to win the tournaments. I think my delusion is what allows me to win the tournaments,” she said said.

AsAmNews is published by the non-profit, Asian American Media Inc. Make a tax-deductible donation of at least $40 or pledge a monthly recurring donation of at least $10 by August 31 and receive a free copy of The Legend of Mu Lan: Heroine of Ancient China, the inspiration for the classic Disney movie. We are supported in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library in partnership with the California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs as part of the Stop the Hate program. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to CA vs Hate.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Latest

Worth the Time

Must Read

Regular Features

Latest

Discover more from AsAmNews

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading