Tennis players are looking forward to the 2021 season after a disruptive year. Several WTA and ATP tournaments had to be canceled or postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic. While reflecting on the recently concluded season, WTA CEO, Steve Simon, disclosed that the tournament organizers and players had tried their best to cope with the coronavirus pandemic. He singled out Naomi Osaka and Iga Swiatek and congratulated them for winning the US and French Open respectively under unique circumstances.
Steve Simon has praised Osaka and Swiatek for winning Grand Slam titles under unique circumstances
Simon praised the two stars for reaching out to global audiences and making history in the sport. However, the WTA administrator pointed out that women’s tennis has had unprecedented depth over the last few years. He argued that women’s game is extremely competitive, which makes it hard for one player to go on a dominant run. Sofia Kenin won the Australian Open earlier in the year, while Osaka and Swiatek won in New York and Paris. Despite the increased competition among female players, pundits have tipped Osaka to become a dominant player in the coming years because of season-ending form.
Women’s tennis has been highly competitive over the past few years
The Japanese star reached the final at the Western & Southern Open before her tournament-winning run at the US Open. Osaka also used her social media platforms to speak out in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. She displayed her activism in New York by wearing seven different facemasks that had the names of victims of police brutality. The 23-year-old was also the highest-paid female athlete in 2020, and she could be a dominant force in women’s tennis on and off the court for years to come.
On her part, Swiatek announced her arrival on the global tennis stage with her impressive performances at the French Open. The 19-year-old did not lose a set during the tournament, and she had notable victories over Simona Halep and Sofia Kenin on her way to the title. According to the WTA CEO, Swiatek and Osaka are proof that the next generation of tennis players can take the game to greater heights. Given the ongoing competition in the women’s game, it will be difficult for players to record multiple wins on tour. Other young players expected to win Grand Slams titles in the future include Bianca Andreescu, Coco Gauff, and Anastasia Potapova. Established players such as Serena Williams, Karolina Pliskova, Simona Halep, and Ashleigh Barty are also likely to continue playing at a high level. While it will be hard for the WTA to have one dominant star, Simon feels that the women’s tennis will generate great interest from fans.
Naomi Osaka in 2020
Currently ranked no.3, the Japanese played her last match on the 12th of September when she beat Victoria Azarenka 1-6 6-3 6-3 in the final of the U.S. Open to win her 6th career title.
Presently, during this year Naomi has achieved an overall 16-3 win-loss record. Osaka has won 1 title at the U.S. Open. Osaka reached the final in New York.
Iga Swiatek in 2020
Currently ranked no.17 (career-high), the Pole played her last match on the 10th of October when she beat Sofia Kenin 6-4 6-1 in the final of the French Open to win her 1st career title.
Until now, during this year Iga has a composed 16-5 record. Swiatek has won 1 title at the French Open.
Naomi Osaka and Iga Swiatek played each other only once. Their head to head is 1-0 for Osaka. When they played, Naomi Osaka won 7-64 6-4 in the 3rd round in Toronto (Rogers Cup) in August 2019.
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