“A Swiatek and Sabalenka or Rybakina does not want to play against somebody like Osaka” – Schett

The former top 10 player from Austria believes Osaka will pose a challenge to the current top players

Naomi Osaka

December 26, 2023

Former top 10 player Barbara Schett, now a leading tennis analyst, is excited about the return of four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka and believes that the current crop of top players won’t want to face her.

Osaka returns to the tour next week in Brisbane – 15 months after her last tournament and six months after giving birth to her first child. The 26-year-old has laid out big ambitions for the second act of her career – which includes the Olympics, Wimbledon and Roland-Garros.

“I was very excited (to see her back) because she is a global star,” Schett told Eurosport. “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” – Schett on Osaka

Oh heyyyy, @naomiosaka 👋 🤩#BrisbaneTennis pic.twitter.com/8DDP9nrl6u
— Brisbane International (@BrisbaneTennis) December 25, 2023

Schett believes that Osaka’s pace will pose a challenge to the current crop of top players, including Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina.

“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.”