Emma Raducanu, Naomi Osaka, Garbine Muguruza and Aryna Sabalenka are among the nominees for WTA Player of the year. While Naomi Osaka had a fantastic start of the season after winning the Australian Open, Emma Raducanu seems to be in pole position to grab the prestigious award.
Emma won the US Open starting from the qualifications, without dropping a single set, at just 18 years of age, and without any meaningful experience of playing at the top level.
These are the nominees:
Ashleigh Barty (AUS)
Barbora Krejcikova (CZE)
Garbiñe Muguruza (ESP)
Naomi Osaka (JPN)
Emma Raducanu (GBR)
Aryna Sabalenka (BLR)
Iga Swiatek (POL)
Emma Raducanu in 2021
Now the world no.19 (career-high), Emma played her last match on the 9th of November when she capitulated to world no.99 Xin Yu Wang 6-1 6-7(0) 7-5 in the 2nd round in Linz (draw).
Currently, during this season Raducanu has managed to achieve an overall 25-9 match record. The Brit conquered 1 title at the U.S. Open. Raducanu got to the final in the Chicago.
Naomi Osaka in 2021
Currently ranked no.13, the Japanese played her last match on the 3rd of September when she lost to world no.24 Leylah Annie Fernandez 5-7 7-6(2) 6-4 in the 3rd round in U.S. Open (draw).
This season Osaka achieved a composed 18-6 record. Osaka clinched 1 title at the Australian Open.
Emma Raducanu and Naomi Osaka have never fought against each other.
Garbine Muguruza in 2021
Ranked world no.3, the Spaniard played her last match on the 17th of November when she beat world no.7 Anett Kontaveit 6-3 7-5 in the final in Guadalajara to win her 10th career title.
This year Muguruza has a 42-17 win-loss record. Garbine clinched 3 titles in 2021 in Dubai, in Chicago and in Guadalajara. Muguruza was the runner-up in Melbourne and in Doha.
Aryna Sabalenka in 2021
Ranked no.2 (career-high), Aryna played her last match on the 15th of November when she was overcome by world no.6 Maria Sakkari 7-6(1) 6-7(6) 6-3 in the round robin in Guadalajara (draw).
Currently, during this year Sabalenka has a 45-18 match record. The Belarussian clinched 2 titles in 2021 in Abu Dhabi and in Madrid. The Belarussian was the finalist in Stuttgart.
Garbine Muguruza and Aryna Sabalenka played each other 3 times. The head to head is 2-1 for Muguruza. The last time they competed against each other, Garbine Muguruza won 3-6 6-3 6-2 in the quarter in Dubai (Dubai Duty Free Championships) on the 11th of March 2021.
You can see them in action in the following highlights.
Emma Raducanu, Naomi Osaka, Garbine Muguruza and Aryna Sabalenka |
| Embed from Getty Images |