McEnroe explains why Osaka is "hugely important for women's tennis"

| by Jamie Malachy

Patrick McEnroe believes that Naomi Osaka "moves the needle" in a way that few - if any - other players on the WTA Tour do.

The four-time Grand Slam champion has endured a difficult season, and has played just over 30 matches in all since the 2021 French Open.

When she has played, she has looked short of form and confidence, with some citing a lack of motivation for the reason behind her slump.

Osaka burst onto the scene with a remarkable triumph at the 2018 US Open, beating Serena Williams in the final. She has since won a further three majors and climbed to the top of the rankings.

Time is "running out" for Naomi Osaka, says Martina Navratilova
Time is "running out" for Naomi Osaka, says Martina Navratilova

However, she is currently languishing at No. 42 in the WTA rankings after the worst season of her career.

"Right now, there's nobody that really moves the needle in women's tennis," Patrick McEnroe said.

"Coco Gauff can and will, when and if she becomes a multiple Slam champion. Iga Swiatek is clearly the best player in the world, but she doesn't certainly move the needle, atleast in this country...Someone like Osaka is hugely important for the women's tennis tour in the next 5 years," he went to suggest.

Naomi Osaka played just 23 singles matches on the WTA tour throughout the 2022 season, winning 14 and losing nine of those matches.

With the start of a new season just round the corner, there is the sense of the next year being a case of now or never again for Osaka. The rest of the field in the women's game is getting stronger all the time, with the pace-setter, Swiatek, so far ahead of the pack she looks almost uncatchable.

Iga certainly has moved the needle more than pretty much any player other than Serena in recent years, but McEnroe makes a good point in his assertion that the WTA needs variety, and Iga Swiatek certainly needs a worthy challenger.

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