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Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka has confirmed that she will be participating at next week's WTA 1000 event in Dubai.
When Osaka steps out on the court in Dubai next week, she will be making her first appearance at the tournament in five years. After making her Dubai debut in 2017, Osaka also competed at the tournament in 2018 and 2019. In those three appearances, Osaka's best result came in 2018, when she reached the quarterfinal before losing to Elina Svitolina.
After making the Dubai quarterfinal in 2018, Osaka returned to the tournament the following year as a seeded player and had a first-round bye before losing to Kristina Mladenovic in her opener. Now, five years later, Osaka is set to compete again in Dubai - but this time as a mother.
In Dubai, Osaka will be competing against the best in the world as Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff and Elena Rybakina are also set to play in the United Arab Emirates.
The Dubai organizers thrilled to welcome Osaka
“It is with great pleasure that we welcome Naomi back to Dubai for the latest installment of the WTA tournament, with many of the world’s best female players competing in the event," Dubai CEO Colin McLoughlin said in a statement.
Salah Tahlak, the Dubai tournament director, also sounded very excited after Osaka's participation was confirmed.
"We’re delighted to have Naomi with us in Dubai for this year’s tournament. We have such a strong women’s line up this year, so having someone of Naomi’s pedigree and stature is even more good news," Dubai tournament director Tahlak said.
This week, Osaka is competing in a WTA 1000 tournament in Doha. After winning her opening two matches in Doha, Osaka didn't have to play her round-of-16 match against Lesia Tsurenko after the Ukrainian gave her a walkover due to injury.
On Thursday, Osaka will be fighting against Karolina Pliskova for a place in the Doha semifinal.