Naomi Osaka will get into the WTA top 10 when she returns to the tour after the birth of her child, predicts coach Rick Macci.
Macci narrated the example of her former player Jennifer Capriati who recorded big success on a comeback to the tour after an extended break from the WTA tour. The 25-year-old gave birth to her daughter Shai in July and was seen on the practice courts two weeks later as she bid to return to action.
4-time Grand Slam champion Osaka played her last tournament in Tokyo in Sep 2022. The Japanese-American is a two-time champion at both Melbourne Park (2019 and 2021) and New York (2018 and 2020. Currently ranked 596th on WTA circuit, the former world No. 1 has won seven WTA titles including two WTA 1000 events.
Macci, 68, foresees Osaka climbing back to the top of the Women’s game after she resumes her tennis duties upon return.
“I know when you disappear from the pro tour and you go have a baby, everybody writes you off. But listen, Osaka has four Grand Slams in her back pocket, you know, and she has firepower. She has a great serve, she’s solid off the ground, great athlete, good calming skills.”
“I bring this up all the time and it reminds me of one of my favorite students of all time. Jennifer Capriati. You know, she disappeared off the face of the earth, went off the tour, okay? Even saw it kind of in the movie King Richard,” said the American in an interview with Tennis Infinity.
He continued, “I wish they’d have presented it the way it really happened. Cause she not only came back on the tour. Not to number 50 or 30 or 20 or 10. Number one, three Grand Slams, Olympic gold, big contract from Fila. She came all the way back.
“So listen, you don’t lose the talent and you don’t lose the ability. You lose a little bit of the confidence and the fitness. So listen, it’s not gonna happen this year, but I’m predicting by the end of 2024.
“If she’s hungry, because I know she believes, Osaka will go right back in the top 10 because she has enough firepower to play through you.”
Apart from Capriati, Macci as an esteemed is known for having coached stars like Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Maria Sharapova, Andy Roddick, Mary Pierce and Sofia Kenin.