The duo have left fans stunned after the surprise announcement.
Naomi Osaka and Ons Jabeur have delighted tennis fans having announced they will team up for doubles at the Abu Dhabi Open following their Australian Open disappointment. Osaka made her long awaited grand slam return at the Australian Open having taken a year off after giving birth to her first child.
The four-time grand slam winner played well in the lead-up tournaments having looked impressive in the Brisbane International. But Osaka was unfortunate to come up against No.16 seed Carolina Garcia in the first round of the Australian Open where she was knocked out in straight sets.
Since the elimination, Osaka is expected to make a strong return at a number of big tennis events on the calendar. Jabeur was left shocked when 16-year-old Mirra Andreeva blasted the Tunisian off the court in one of her heaviest defeats at a grand slam.
Despite both tennis stars losing in the first week of the tournament, the duo have appeared to quickly move on and will team up in the doubles in Abu Dhabi. Osaka hasn’t played doubles in six years and obviously found it too hard to say no to Jabeur with the pair offered a wild card entry into the main draw.
The duo have never played together, but have faced each other just once in singles. Osaka is currently ranked World No.759 as she attempts to make a comeback in singles after a year away from the sport.
Jabeur is World No.6 and will be hoping to find her form again so she can make another run at a Roland Garros or the Wimbledon title in 2024. Fans were left thrilled after the announcement and praised the duo after the rare doubles announcement.
Source: yahoo sports
