The aggressive approach of Naomi Osaka may enable her to take on the “Big Three” of Elena Rybakina, Aryna Sabalenka, and Iga Swiatek in 2024 says Barbara Schett.
Six months after giving birth, Osaka declared she would return to the court at the Brisbane Open.
Schett believes that Osaka’s younger age and her “killer shots” will allow her to have a greater impact than Wozniacki or Angie Kerber, the latter of whom is also making a comeback after giving birth.
Schett believes the elder pair of Grand Slam winners will have a far tougher time making an impact on the WTA Tour.
“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’.
“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 believes that Osaka’s play will become more laid-back now that she is a mother and that having a kid will enhance, not hurt, 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.
“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.”
