(Provided by Tennis World USA)
Serena Williams’ childhood coach Rick Macci predicts Naomi Osaka will finish the 2024 season ranked inside the top-10. Osaka, 25, is currently ranked at No 441 in the world but she hasn’t played any tournaments this year. This month, former world No 1 Osaka welcomed her first child.
Now, four-time Grand Slam champion Osaka plans to start her preparation for a tennis comeback. Earlier this year, Osaka confirmed she would miss the entire 2023 season but said her intention was to return to play at the start of the 2024 season in Australia.
Serena’s ex-coach Macci: Osaka will be a top-10 by the end of 2024
“@naomiosaka by the end of 2024 will be in the top ten. She has 4 slams in her back pocket has been number one. Her serve is one of the best and she has the juice on both wings.
The wildcard is belief and hunger and I know she believes and is very motivated,” Macci wrote.
@naomiosaka by the end of 2024 will be in the top ten.She has 4 slams in her back pocket has been number one. Her serve is one of the best and she has the juice on both wings.
The wildcard is belief and hunger and I know she believes and is very motivated. — Rick Macci (@RickMacci) July 24, 2023
This month, rapper Cordae revealed during a performance that his girlfriend Osaka gave birth to a baby girl they decided to name Shai.
After giving birth, Osaka admitted that she is very excited about returning to tennis in the near future.“I’m excited to have the opportunity [to play] again. I’ve been playing tennis since I was three, and I think it’s one of those things where I needed to take a step back to appreciate it more.
I also just really want to see fans again. During COVID, the distance hit me really hard,” Osaka told Vogue.Earlier this year, Osaka told a Japanese journalist her goal was to win several more Grand Slam titles before retiring.
Osaka started her career in a very impressive way as she just turned 23 when she lifted her fourth Grand Slam title at the 2021 Australian Open.
