After upsetting Naomi Osaka in straight sets, Danielle Collins will next face Elena Rybakina in Abu Dhabi

Danielle Collins is playing her last season.

After upsetting Naomi Osaka in straight sets, Danielle Collins will next face Elena Rybakina in Abu Dhabi

Naomi Osaka, Danielle Collins, Elena Rybakina (Images via Imago)

Japanese tennis ace Naomi Osaka is still struggling to find her rhythm. The former World No.1 has not been able to perform to the expectations of experts and her fans. While she faced a first-round exit at the 2024 Australian Open, Osaka was knocked out of the 2024 Abu Dhabi Open after a defeat in the first round. The four-time Grand Slam champion was defeated by Danielle Collins who will next face Elena Rybakina.

The Kazakh ace had been given a bye in the first round and will now meet Collins in her first match at the tournament. Rybakina is the first seed at the WTA 500 tournament. Meanwhile, Collins who is playing her last season is unseeded. But the American will be high on confidence after beating Osaka in straight sets. Collins ousted the Japanese ace 7-5, 6-0.

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The American is now tasked with beating Rybakina who had to suffer an early exit from the Australian Open. The last year’s finalist could not do much this time around as she was knocked out of the tournament following a defeat to Anna Blinkova in the second round.

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Danielle Collins is ready for the next chapter

After confirming at the Australian Open that the 2024 season will be her last, Danielle Collins says she is ready for the next chapter of her life. The American shared her mixed feelings about being on the tour. Collins says that while sometimes she feels like she just started, it feels like she has been on the tour for an eternity.

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Danielle Collins (Image via Imago)

Nevertheless, the 30-year-old is ready to embark on the next chapter of her life. Collins says that she is excited about what lies ahead for her. 

I haven’t been on tour that long, compared to some of the other players. Because I did go the college route, so I didn’t really start on tour until I was 22. In some ways it seems like it was just yesterday when I started playing and in other ways it seems like I’ve been out here for an eternity.
Danielle Collins said. (Via WTA)
At this point, I feel like I’m ready for the next chapter, and I’m really excited about it. I needed to have an end date and it gives my family and friends the ability to come support me in some final tournaments. I think that will be really special.
The American added.

Notably, Danielle Collins turned pro in 2016. In her eight-year-old career, the American has managed two singles titles and one doubles title. The American has had her share of health issues. Three years after turning pro, Collins revealed she had been diagnosed with the autoimmune disease rheumatoid arthritis. In 2021, she underwent emergency surgery to treat endometriosis.

However, she denied health problems playing a part in her decision to look the other way. Nonetheless, Collins says she is ready for something new.

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