Naomi Osaka, Rafael Nadal, Dominic Thiem and Iga Swiatek’s fame and accomplishments went far beyond tennis. Eventually, all of them have been nominated for the 2021 Laureus World Sports Awards.
Naomi Osaka
Currently ranked no.2, Naomi has definitely transcended her sport in 2020, managing to conquer the US Open while being extremely vocal in defense of the community of color.
Naomi was named as the sportswoman of the year alongside Anna Van Der Breggen (Cycling), Breanna Stewart (Basketball), Brigid Kosgei (Athletics), Federica Brignoe (Skiing), and Wendie Renard (soccer).
The Japanese played her last match on the 20th of February when she defeated Jennifer Brady 6-4 6-3 in the final of the Australian Open to win her 7th career title.
At the moment, during this season the Japanese owns a 10-0 match record. Osaka has won 1 title at the Australian Open.
Swiatek
Ranked no.18, Iga surprised the tennis community and beyond in 2020 after winning the French Open without dropping a single set (draw).
Swiatek was nominated alongside Dominic Thiem in the “World Breakthrough of the Year” category.
The Pole has a compiled 6-2 win-loss record in 2021. The Pole is playing at the moment in Adelaide where she ousted Madison Brengle 6-3 6-4 and Maddison Inglis 6-1 6-3.
Iga Swiatek will play Collins in the quarter. In the past, they have never competed against each other as of now on the main tour.
Naomi Osaka and Iga Swiatek played each other just on 1 occasion. The head to head is 1-0 for Osaka. When they played, Naomi Osaka won 7-6(4) 6-4 in the 3rd round in Toronto (Rogers Cup) in August 2019.
You can watch the highlights in the following video.
Rafael Nadal in 2021
Currently the world no.2, the King of Clay won his 20th slam at the last French Open in 2020.
He was named in the category of the sportsman of the year alongside Armand Duplantis (Athletics), Joshua Cheptegei (Athletics), LeBron James (Basketball), Lewis Hamilton (Motor Racing), and Robert Lewandowski.
The Spaniard played his last match on the 17th of February when he was defeated by Stefanos Tsitsipas 3-6 2-6 7-6(4) 6-4 7-5 in the quarter of the Australian Open (draw).
During this season the Spaniard has a 4-1 match record.
Dominic Thiem in 2021
At the moment ranked no.4, Thiem finally managed to conquer his maiden slam in 2020 after beating Sascha Zverev in the US Open final. For this reason, he was nominated alongside Iga Swiatek in the “World Breakthrough of the Year” category.
Thiem played his last match on the 14th of February when he was defeated by Grigor Dimitrov 6-4 6-4 6-0 in the 4th round of the Australian Open (draw).
Presently, during this year Dominic has a 4-2 record.
Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem played each other 15 times. The head to head is 9-6 for Nadal. The last time they competed against each other, Rafael Nadal won 7-5 6-4 in the semifinal in Adelaide (A Day At The Drive) on the 29th of January 2021.
