"She has enough fire power to play through you": Renowned coach Macci believes Osaka returns to top 10 straight after return
WTAMonday, 14 August 2023 at 14:30
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.
Read also
“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.”
Azeem Siddiqui is a seasoned sports journalist and data analyst with a strong background in both digital media and live sports production.
He began his journalism career working with partners of The New York Times and has since contributed to several leading international sports publications, including Fox Sports Asia, Calciomercato, and GiveMeSport. Since 2023, Azeem has been part of the TennisUpToDate team, where he has played a key role in sustaining the platform’s growth and ensuring tennis fans receive timely and reliable coverage of the sport’s biggest stories.
In addition to his editorial work, Azeem has extensive experience as a data analyst in live sports broadcasting—particularly in cricket—where he combines analytical precision with creative storytelling. He has collaborated with multiple production companies and cricket boards worldwide, delivering real-time insights and data-driven narratives during live match coverage.
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