Mats Wilander, Tim Henman back Naomi Osaka to return to top of tennis again after French Open loss

ByJames Walker-Roberts

Updated 23/05/2022 at 17:46 GMT

Naomi Osaka exited the French Open in the first round after losing to Amanda Anisimova in straight sets. The four-time Grand Slam champion is looking to return to the top of the game after a disrupted 12 months and both Mats Wilander and Tim Henman think she can challenge for big titles again. Osaka has said she may skip Wimbledon as it will not have any ranking points.

Mats Wilander and Tim Henman are backing Naomi Osaka to return to the top despite her first-round defeat to Amanda Anisimova at the French Open.

Four-time Grand Slam champion Osaka was beaten 7-5 6-4 by former French Open semi-finalist Anisimova.

Osaka withdrew from the tournament last year to protect her mental health and has since had several breaks from the sport. She also struggled with an Achilles injury ahead of Roland-Garros.

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But the world No. 38 looked like she might be returning to her best ahead of the clay season when she reached the final of the Miami Open.

“I’m not really surprised about Osaka losing to Animisova, she is a great player and made the semi-finals here a few years back,” said seven-time Grand Slam champion Wilander.

• Henman doesn't expect big names to skip Wimbledon
• Osaka says Wimbledon will feel like 'exhibition' event

“I’m very happy to see Osaka back, trying hard and with a really good attitude.

“She has struggled on her clay her whole career so far, and she has struggled on grass too, she is very much a hard-court specialist. I think she is on her way back and will get back to the top again if she wants it.”

Osaka has won all four of her majors on hard courts and is yet to make it past the third round of the French Open or Wimbledon.

She said afterwards that she may not play Wimbledon this season due to the decision by the ATP and WTA tours to strip the tournament of rankings points.

'I get motivated by seeing my ranking go up' - Osaka on Wimbledon doubts

Former British No. 1 Henman, who is on the All England Lawn Tennis Club board, does not expect many big players to skip Wimbledon.

He also thinks Osaka will contend for big titles again.

“It’s great to see her in a really positive frame of mind because she has struggled with mental health issues and it’s most important that is she feeling healthy in that regard," he said.

“We say form is temporary, class is permanent, and she is one of the best players in the world. Her ranking has dropped but if she stays committed and keeps working hard there is no reason why she can’t get back to the top of the game in the not-too-distant future.”

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