“5 people watching this? WTH?” Naomi Osaka’s “worst match” with Danielle Collins draws upsettingly low audience in Abu Dhabi as Serena Williams’ former coach voices her thoughts

Naomi Osaka's struggles for a Tour win continue as she loses her third straight match on the trot.

“5 people watching this? WTH?” Naomi Osaka’s “worst match” with Danielle Collins draws upsettingly low audience in Abu Dhabi as Serena Williams’ former coach voices her thoughts

Rennae Stubbs and Naomi Osaka (Credits: IMAGO)

Former World No. 1 Naomi Osaka‘s struggles to get back in form continues. Playing in just her third tournament this year, the Japanese star lost in the first round of the ongoing 2024 Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open. She was defeated by Danielle Collins who won the tie 7-5, 6-0.

Collins was trailing 4-5 in the first set before she launched an epic comeback. She won nine straight games to dump the four-time Grand Slam title winner out. Osaka was leading 3-1 in their head-to-head coming into the tie. The American has now cut the gap to trail 2-3.

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Osaka, ranked 757th, reached Abu Dhabi with a 1-2 record. Collins is ranked 71st and had to reach the main-draw from the qualifiers while Osaka received a wildcard. The former Australian Open runner-up is playing her farewell season having announced it after her loss to Iga Swiatek at this year’s AO.

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Despite the clash between two of the Tour’s stalwarts, the crowd turnout was rather disappointing. In their defense, they played in the morning session on a Tuesday but irrespective, the spectators were shockingly low.

Stunned by the poor crowd attendance, Serena Williams‘ former coach Rennae Stubbs expressed her disappointment through her X (formerly Twitter) account. Reacting to a picture of the two ladies shaking hands after the match, Stubbs pointed the empty seats and made her comment. 

Is there like 5 people watching this? WTH?
Tweeted Stubbs.

Two defeats in a single day for Naomi Osaka

Having signed up for the doubles as well, Osaka had a poor outing there as well. Partnering World No. 6 Ons Jabeur in the doubles, the pair lost in straight-sets in their first match.

Naomi Osaka
Naomi Osaka (Source: Imago)

They were up against the team of Bernarda Pera and Magda Linette who won the match 6-3, 6-3. Jabeur and Osaka were recipients of the only main-draw doubles wildcard in Abu Dhabi. Playing in their first match together, they had a bad day at the office.

While Jabeur will be more focused on her singles clash against Emma Raducanu, Osaka can look for things to improve. The Japanese will next feature in Doha for the WTA-1000 event. With only a single match win so far this season, the two-time Australian Open winner has a lot to work upon.

As for Collins, she will take on former Wimbledon winner Elena Rybakina in the second round. The top-seeded Kazakh leads the head-to-head 2-1 against Collins.

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