"She has enough fire power to play through you": Renowned coach Macci believes Osaka returns to top 10 straight after return

Rick Macci is hoping to see former world number one Naomi Osaka reclaim a spot in the top 10 of the WTA rankings.

The 25-year-old is set to return to action after becoming a mother and has already started training.

Because of pregnancy, Osaka has not played a single professional tennis match since September last year.

Macci, who is Osaka’s coach, believes that the four-time Grand Slam winner has all the ability to return to top-10 once she will start playing at the highest level.

“I know when you disappear from the pro tour and you go have a baby, everybody writes you off,” he was quoted in a report. “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.

“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 I if her, 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.”