© Getty Images Sport – Clive Brunskill
Former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka may have fallen short of winning her first title since 2021 this week in Doha but the Japanese still fully enjoyed her time in Qatar and vowed to return to the Qatar Open next year.
After debuting in Doha six years ago, 26-year-old Osaka returned to this year’s Qatar Open for her second appearance at the tournament.
When Osaka arrived in Doha, she was riding a three-match losing streak and her confidence was shaken. But that changed in Doha as Osaka beat Caroline Garcia and Petra Martic before Lesia Tsurenko gave her a walkover in their round-of-16.
On Thursday, Osaka delivered another good performance against another former world No. 1 Karolina Pliskova – but still ended on the losing side after the Czech won a tight battle 7-6 (6) 7-6 (5).
“Doha you are absolutely one of the most beautiful cities I’ve ever been to. It’s been an absolute pleasure playing here, thank you for all the support. Love you and I’ll see you next year,” Osaka wrote on X.
Doha you are absolutely one of the most beautiful cities I’ve ever been to. It’s been an absolute pleasure playing here, thank you for all the support. Love you and I’ll see…
