Naomi Osaka faced a disappointing 7-5, 6-0 defeat against Danielle Collins in the first round of the Abu Dhabi Open, leaving her feeling disheartened and grappling with the pressure to not perceive herself as a failure. Osaka, who returned to the tour last month after a 15-month hiatus due to the birth of her first child, has encountered tough draws and has struggled, losing three out of four matches so far this season.

Despite these setbacks, Osaka remains resolute and maintains faith in her tennis prowess. She acknowledges the need to bolster her self-belief and navigate through challenging matches that lie ahead.

Following her defeat in Abu Dhabi, Osaka also experienced a loss in the doubles event alongside Ons Jabeur. However, she found solace in the doubles performance, which helped her shake off her earlier disappointment.

Looking forward, Osaka is set to participate in the Qatar Open in Doha and may also consider entering the Dubai tournament, although she is undecided at this juncture.

Meanwhile, Danielle Collins, the victor against Osaka, has enhanced her head-to-head record to 2-3 against the Japanese star. Collins is slated to face top-seeded Elena Rybakina in the second round of the Abu Dhabi Open.

In an intriguing development, Collins has announced that this season will be her final one on the tour. She desires to transition into a more normal life, away from the constant travel and rigors of professional tennis. Collins is excited about embarking on the next chapter of her life and looks forward to the support of her family and friends as she competes in her final tournaments.

Despite her recent setback, Osaka remains determined to bounce back and elevate her performance on the tennis court, striving to overcome challenges and achieve success in her ongoing tennis journey.