“Trusting the process, staying focused, and taking it one day at a time”  were the words of Naomi Osaka as she entered the ongoing French Open. The Japanese tennis star did not put the weight of expectation on her shoulders as she faced world no. 1, Iga Swiatek, during the second round. However, the match did raise the expectations of tennis fans, particularly Osaka fans. And also of Serena Williams‘s ex-coach, Rennae Stubbs. The latter was so taken aback by Osaka’s form on the clay court that she claimed her to be a strong contender for the upcoming slams. 

At the Roland Garros, the 4-time Grand Slam champion not only pushed the Pole into a 3-set thriller, But they fought tooth and nail for every point. Swiatek breathed a sigh of relief after making a comeback from 3-0 in the third set, winning the match and hence clearing her spot for the third round. Tennis fans must have shouted in excitement in the hopes of the Japanese tennis star’s readiness to claim another major. And Stubbs echoed a similar sentiment during a discussion at ‘Racquet’s Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast.’ 

In the podcast, Stubbs praised Naomi Osaka for her gritty play and inferred, “This is like putting a flag in the sand. Okay, great match.” Serena Williams’ ex-coach has trained the 23-time Grand Slam Champion and would certainly know what a good form of a player looks like. As she went on to predict the US Open outcome already, she said, “If she plays like that, to me, she is the favorite to win the US Open.” A challenge to the young defending champion, Coco Gauff, as she works to get her serves right!

However, this prophecy was not without basis, as she further detailed her logic. While acknowledging her hardcourt prowess along with lesser wins on the Japanese tennis star’s side till now. She said, “And, a lot of people were like, well, come on! She hasn’t won that many matches. Just because she plays well! I felt like she’s she looked unbelievably fit. She was moving so well on the clay. And you think about how well she plays on hardcourt. If she plays even remotely that close. She there’s who beats her on hardcourt. Well, she plays on hardcourt arguably one of the best hardcore players over the last 10 years. So I’m putting her as equal favorite at the US Open already.”

Stubbs may have anticipated a lot into the future, but it is not entirely baseless to assume so. Of the 4 Grand Slam titles she has claimed, 2 are from the hard court at the US Open. Moreover, Swiatek herself accepted the unanticipated high intensity for the 2nd round match at the Roland Garros!

An emotionally charged 2nd round exit for Naomi Osaka at the Roland Garros 

On May 29, Osaka and Swiatek engaged in a heated battle to book a ticket for the third round. The rollercoaster of the second round was not only about physical strength but also emotional strength. Swiatek claimed the 1st set through a tiebreak before brutally losing the 2nd set to the Japanese 1-6.

But it was the third set that the Pole snatched from Osaka, as she came back from 0-3 to win it with a score of 7-5. An end that everyone anticipated. However, it was the ending that shocked the fans. Both the players shed tears, one of relief and the other of sadness. The Pole later admitted, “It’s much more intense for the second round than I ever expected.” Certainly, a finale in the second round!

Naomi Osaka is out, and Iga Swiatek has moved forward into the Grand Slam. Do you think Rennae Stubbs’s prophecy may come true?