Naomi Osaka can thrive as she joins Caroline Wozniacki in returning to tennis following pregnancy - Barbara Schett
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Updated 26/12/2023 at 10:56 GMT
Barbara Schett looked ahead to Naomi Osaka's return to tennis after giving birth, and is expecting the Japanese player to give the likes of Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina a run for their money in 2024. Osaka will take part in the Brisbane Open in preparation for the first Grand Slam of the year at the Australian Open, live on Eurosport and discovery+ from January 14.
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Barbara Schett believes that the returning Naomi Osaka’s "super aggressive" style could help her challenge the ‘Big Three’ of Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina more than Caroline Wozniacki, who is also continuing her comeback to tennis.
Osaka announced she will be back on the court at the Brisbane Open - six months after giving birth - and Schett feels that her younger age, combined with her "killer shots", could see her to make a bigger impact than Wozniacki or Angie Kerber, the latter who is also on the comeback trail after her maternity.
“Well, they have completely different game styles,” Schett told Eurosport.
“Caroline Wozniacki and Angie Kerber, they're a little bit more defensive. They do like to play with the pace of the opponent, but they don't have those killer shots like Naomi Osaka.
“We’ve seen Caroline Wozniacki at the US Open playing in her onesie and she was just moving like in the old days. But let's not forget the age difference - Wozniacki is over 30 and Naomi Osaka is in her mid-20s; that does make a big difference.
“Even if you don't give birth at that age, you're starting to get a little bit slower and things get harder. And Novak Djokovic even said it: 'I'm not as fast as I used to be, but I have to work it out in a different way to beat the opponents'.
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“My biggest worry is that [Angelique] Kerber and also Wozniacki, are struggling with the pace of those girls a lot more. Whereas Osaka has always been super aggressive, and she's never had problems with the pace of somebody like Serena Williams as well.
“They both don't really take the initiative as much as Osaka. But who knows, maybe Angie Kerber is going to play serve and volley. When we see her, who knows?”
Schett feels that motherhood will see a more relaxed style of play from Osaka and that having a child can be a help not a hindrance to her tennis career.
“I was very excited [to see her back] because she is a global star,” Schett added.
“She has won Grand Slam titles, and I think she's still young enough to have a second career. Also, her approach might be different now because she's had a baby.
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“We’ve seen it a lot from other players that it gets the better out of them because they're just a little bit more relaxed.
“I think she still has a lot of tennis in her. I've seen a few videos of the way she was practicing; she's looking fit.
“We know that she can hit the ball extremely hard, so pace is not going to be a problem at all. And one thing is for sure, an Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka or Elena Rybakina, does not want to play against somebody like Naomi Osaka. The pressure will be on for them.”
Meanwhile, the Eurosport tennis expert says Osaka and Wozniacki will both be targeting another Grand Slam title, but admits next month’s Australian Open may come too soon.
“Wozniacki has a bit of an advantage because she's had matches already and played unbelievably at the US Open," Schett said.
“You just have to give yourself a bit of time to get used to the environment, because you can practice as much as you want, but you don't know how you're reacting when you're standing on centre court.
“I think they both have entered the Australian Open not thinking that they're going to win it.
“They're definitely ready to compete. Their ultimate goal will probably be to win a Grand Slam title, but not necessarily right away at the Australian Open.”
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