In the recent few days, the return of Naomi Osaka to professional tennis has been highly speculated. After being out of the court for so long due to pregnancy, she announced that she will return to the circuit and will be targeting the Australian Open next year. In multiple interviews, she has listed Serena Williams as her main source of inspiration as she tries to make a comeback into the sport.

That being said, many have started assuming if she could repeat the same success that the legendary American player saw. Will the story be different for Naomi Osaka once she makes her comeback? Let’s find out!

How did Serena Williams perform after making her comeback to tennis as a mother?

When it comes to tennis, there are hardly a few who have made an impact just like Serena Williams did. However, her journey to stardom has never been easy. From facing backlash to injuries, there have been moments when she had to go to the extreme. However, despite this, she managed to make a name for herself. Back in 2017, she did a miraculous job when she won the Australian Open, which was the 23rd and final grand slam of her career. What made her victory even more special was the fact that she was 8-9 weeks pregnant at that time, which, within itself was extraordinary.

Post that, Serena Williams announced in April that she’d be taking a break from tennis as she was 20 weeks pregnant by then. In September, she gave birth to Olympia. However, the procedure was life-taking as it required a lot of effort from the doctors. Despite this, she made a comeback in 2018. After being ranked 181 in the WTA rankings, she came to Wimbledon as the 25th seeded and surprised everyone as she made it through to the finals of the tournament. Not only this, her heroics continued to the US Open as well where she made it to the finals before losing out to Naomi Osaka in one of the most controversial finals.

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The next year followed and Serena Williams surprised everyone yet again after she managed to make it through to the finals of Wimbledon. This time, she lost against Simona Halep. The same story continued at the US Open as well and she managed to make it through to the finals. However, she fell short in front of Bianca Andreescu. This year also saw Williams make her way into the top 10 rankings as well. Despite her heroics, she was out most of the time due to injury.

In 2020, Serena Williams won her first title since coming out of maternity leave where she defeated Jessica Pegula in the finals of the ASB Classics. However, 2020 was the first time Williams failed to reach a grand slam final since 2006. 2 years later, she played her final match at the US Open and decided to put an end to her career. Thus, her journey was nothing short of inspiring. From coming out of maternity leave to causing havoc on the tennis courts despite multiple injuries that she had is mind-blowing. But that being said, will Naomi Osaka be able to recreate the same highlights that Serena once did?

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Will Naomi Osaka be able to replicate the same success that Serena Williams once did?

Naomi Osaka is a remarkable talent, and her potential in the world of tennis is undeniable. However, replicating Serena Williams’ post-pregnancy achievements is a big task that comes with its unique set of challenges.

One of the biggest challenges that Naomi will be facing is the tremendous pressure that comes with being seen as the heir to Serena’s legacy. The expectations for her to follow in Williams’ footsteps are immense, and this weight can significantly impact her performance on the court.

Adding to this, the tennis landscape has changed since Osaka’s prime. Competition is fiercer than ever, with a new generation of talented players emerging. With Coco Gauff coming in as a force to be reckoned with, Iga Swiatek in the form of her life, and Aryna Sabalenka, who currently holds the first spot in the WTA rankings, a lot has changed ever since Osaka stepped off the tennis courts. Thus, she would have to put in a lot of effort to bring back the glory days.

However, there is one advantage that Naomi Osaka has over Serena Williams. By the time Serena announced her pregnancy, she was already 35 years old. She made her comeback back at 36 which clearly indicated that she did not have much time on the tennis courts. However, on the other hand, Naomi Osaka is just 26 at the moment and has a lot of time to start from scratch and build her legacy all over again.

Naomi Osaka’s decision to start a family at this age is a personal one. We, as fans, know how hectic it can be for players as they have to travel to multiple places to take part in the events and showcase their love for the game. However, this can sometimes often impact motherhood. Thus, this is another crucial factor to look for.

The question of whether Naomi Osaka can replicate Serena Williams’ post-pregnancy feat remains a matter of speculation. While Williams’ achievements are exceptional and have set a high bar, Osaka possesses extraordinary talent, dedication, and drive. Regardless of the outcome, both players have already left a huge mark on the world of tennis.

What are your expectations from Naomi Osaka when she makes a comeback into the sport? Do let us know in the comments below!

Watch this story: 17-year-old Serena Williams’ Fan Girl Looks Determined To Create US Open History As She Claims Monumental Title Days After Wimbledon Glory