During the 2025 WTA Tour season, Naomi Osaka has reminded everyone that she is a force to be reckoned with.
The Japanese star, a winner of four Grand Slam titles, performed superbly throughout the year and looks to be a contender at Grand Slam events moving forward.
In the spring, Osaka won her first WTA title since the 2021 Australian Open at the WTA 125 Saint Malo. She rose rapidly up the rankings thereafter and now sits in the 16th spot on the WTA rankings.
The 28-year-old, who has seven career singles titles to her name, will take some stopping at Grand Slams in 2026.
Naomi Osaka will be a strong contender for Grand Slam titles in 2026
Osaka first showed signs of a return to Grand Slam winning form when she reached the Canadian Open final in August, shortly after parting ways with coach Patrick Mouratoglou.
The Japanese player defeated Jelena Ostapenko and Elina Svitolina on her way to the final before being stopped by Canadian prodigy Victoria Mboko.
What could stop Naomi Osaka from winning a Grand Slam title in 2026?
Credit: Sofascore
Osaka continued to perform well at the US Open, defeating Coco Gauff and Karolina Muchova on her way to the semi-finals.
The four-time major champ was stopped by Amanda Anisimova: 6-7, 7-6, 6-3.
By the end of the WTA Tour season, Osaka had moved up 43 places in the rankings – from 59 to 16.
Osaka has Grand Slam pedigree, having won four Grand Slam titles before taking a break from the sport in 2021.
When she is in top form, few are able to match her firepower and grit on the tennis court. If she can reignite this form in 2026, she will most certainly win a Grand Slam singles title.
Naomi Osaka’s Australian Open chances
Osaka will be a seeded player heading into the 2026 Australian Open, giving herself an increased chance of lifting the trophy on January 31.
This factor, coupled with her history of success in Melbourne, make her a serious contender to win a third Australian Open title.
The Japanese star first won the Australian Open title in 2019, defeating Petra Kvitova in the final.
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Two years later, Osaka repeated the feat, beating Jennifer Brady in the final on that occasion.
