“If they are going to be rusty or not,” Curious Iga Swiatek focuses more on Naomi Osaka’s return as the duo might lock horns in 2024

Osaka and Swiatek have won four Grand Slam titles each and have one win over other.

“If they are going to be rusty or not,” Curious Iga Swiatek focuses more on Naomi Osaka’s return as the duo might lock horns in 2024

Naomi Osaka (L) Iga Swiatek (R) (Sources: Imago/IT)

Both Naomi Osaka and Rafael Nadal are set to make their much-anticipated comebacks in the upcoming 2024 Australian Open after remaining away from the court for over a year. As neither of them wants to step into a Grand Slam directly, they have both chosen the 2023-24 Brisbane International to make their return, following which they shall shift all their focus to the 2024 Australian Open. 

In a recent interview, World No. 1 Iga Swiatek talked about the comebacks of Rafael Nadal and Naomi Osaka. While Nadal has always been a great inspiration for Iga, Osaka might end up being one of her major rivals at the Australian Open. Both players have four Grand Slam titles and it is obviously smart for the Polish to keep an eye on the Japanese player. However, off the court, they have a good friendship. 

Swiatek said that she is curious about whether Nadal and Osaka will be rusty due to not playing for so many months. However, she also conceded that both are very experienced players, and she hoped that they did well. 

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I’m just curious [to see] how they are going to play and if they’re going to be rusty or not but obviously they are both really experienced so I hope they’re going to do well. From a fan perspective, I’m really happy that they are coming back and I’m going to be able to see their game. 
Iga Swiatek at Yas Island’s Etihad Arena on Thursday (H/T: The National News)

Iga Swiatek considers the possibility of facing Naomi Osaka in the 2024 Australian Open 

If Naomi Osaka is able to get back to her original form, she will definitely be a major threat in the Australian Open. Iga Swiatek, being the World No.1, has already considered the possibility of going head-to-head against the Japanese. She did not tackle the topic from the game’s perspective, though, and just said that she was happy that Osaka was making her comeback. 

Naomi Osaka and Iga Swiatek
Naomi Osaka and Iga Swiatek (Source: Tennis.com)
Naomi, we may play against each other, so it’s pretty funny but I’m happy that she’s back and she could fulfill her other goals and now come back to playing tennis. 

Osaka and Swiatek have so far played against each other in only two matches and they have won one each. Both of those matches were played on hard courts. We might get to see their third encounter soon at the Australian Open. 

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