Polish tennis star Iga Swiatek has expressed her joy at the return of former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka to the professional tennis scene. Swiatek, known for her impressive skills on the court, not only applauded Osaka’s tennis prowess but also commended her positive state of mind off the court.
In a recent statement, Swiatek conveyed her excitement about the prospect of catching up with Osaka. She praised Osaka’s consistently excellent tennis game and acknowledged the challenges she has faced, including the ups and downs that are inevitable in a competitive career.
“I’m really happy that she’s back. I heard that she’s really feeling well off the court, which is amazing to hear. It’s going to be nice to see her and to catch up a bit. I mean, her tennis has always been great. She had plenty of ups and downs, but when she was playing great, it was hard to win against her. She won for the first time in two years. Really amazing. She showed that it’s possible,” Swiatek said.
Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, took a hiatus from tennis in 2021 due to mental health reasons, making her return highly anticipated. Swiatek’s positive comments not only reflect camaraderie among athletes but also highlight the resilience Osaka has demonstrated in securing her first victory in two years.
Iga Swiatek is happy to see Naomi Osaka back on tour & doing well off-court:
“I’m really happy that she’s back. I heard that she’s really feeling well off court, which is amazing to hear. It’s going to be nice to see her & to catch up a bit.
I mean, her tennis has always been… pic.twitter.com/06E6SpaLho— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 1, 2024
Swiatek’s remarks were shared via the United Cup Press, providing tennis enthusiasts with insights into the mutual respect and support that exists within the competitive world of professional tennis. The acknowledgment of Osaka’s well-being off the court adds a personal touch to the statement, emphasizing the significance of mental and emotional health in the demanding realm of sports.
As fans eagerly anticipate future matchups, Swiatek’s joyful response to Osaka’s return underscores the positive spirit within the tennis community. Osaka’s recent triumph serves as an inspiring story of overcoming adversity and sets an example for athletes navigating challenges in their careers.
Iga Swiatek in 2024
Now the world no.1, Swiatek played her last match on the 1st of January when she defeated world no.53 Sara Sorribes Tormo 6-2 6-1 in the round robin in Australia (draw).
Until now, during this year the Pole has achieved a 2-0 record.
Osaka in Brisbane, ranking, and results in 2024
Currently the world no.661, Naomi has achieved a compiled 1-0 win-loss record in 2024. The Japanese is currently playing in Brisbane where she beat the world no.83 Tamara Korpatsch 6-3 7-69.
Naomi Osaka will face the world no.39 Karolina Pliskova in the 2nd round. The head to head is 3-2 for Pliskova.
Osaka won 7 titles in her career: all of them conquered on hard courts. (See the list of her titles)
Iga Swiatek and Naomi Osaka clashed against each other only on 2 occasions. Their current record is 1-1. The last time they played each other, Iga Swiatek won 6-4 6-0 in the final in Miami (Miami Open) in April 2022.
In the following video you can watch the key moments of their match.
Iga Swiatek and Naomi Osaka |
| Embed from Getty Images |
