Raducanu, Naomi Osaka, Muguruza, Sabalenka among the nominees as the best WTA players of 2021

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 9^th of November when she capitulated to world no.99 Xin Yu Wang 6-1 6-7(0) 7-5 in the 2^nd 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.

Linz

Raducanu's Record

Naomi Osaka in 2021

Currently ranked no.13, the Japanese played her last match on the 3^rd of September when she lost to world no.24 Leylah Annie Fernandez 5-7 7-6(2) 6-4 in the 3^rd round in U.S. Open (draw).

This season Osaka achieved a composed 18-6 record. Osaka clinched 1 title at the Australian Open.

U.S. Open

Osaka's Record

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 17^th of November when she beat world no.7 Anett Kontaveit 6-3 7-5 in the final in Guadalajara to win her 10^th 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.

Guadalajara

Muguruza's Record

Aryna Sabalenka in 2021

Ranked no.2 (career-high), Aryna played her last match on the 15^th 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.

Guadalajara

Sabalenka's Record

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 11^th of March 2021.

You can see them in action in the following highlights.