What is worst case scenario for Naomi Osaka in returning to the top: "Would be getting there during the US Open"

Naomi Osaka will play in the Qatar Open over the next week where again it will be a certain Caroline Garcia in her way so as a result, fans have only really seen her against lower opposition once and that was Tamara Korpatsch at the Brisbane International. Doubts do swell around the mind about when the former World No.1 will return to the top.

Of the returning mothers, Caroline Wozniacki winning games at the US Open is probably the main example of a player adapting as well as the standout being Elina Svitolina last season who after some initial toils was the WTA Comeback Player of the Year and the story of the summer in many ways.

But Osaka and Angelique Kerber have found it more difficult so far to gain wins and for the Japanese ace, it is a target of worst case vs best case scenario. Former being US Open and the best case being peaking towards the summer majors at the French Open and Wimbledon in May and July and having a similar Summer rise to Svitolina. She will hope to not suffer a similarly crushing loss to last week against Danielle Collins when she faces Garcia who dealt with her at the Australian Open. Time will tell on how the comeback continues.

"I do think about it. I often wonder how long it’ll take me to get to the level I want to be at. My shots are there. It’s more decision-making during the matches. It might take some time," said Osaka prior to the Qatar Open.

"The worst result would be getting there during the US Open [late August] and the best result would be to get there around the French Open and Wimbledon."