Naomi Osaka is a player to keep an eye on as we head into the 2026 WTA Tour season.
The four-time Grand Slam champion appears to have recaptured her best form and could be a major threat to the top seeds at the 2026 Australian Open – a tournament she has won twice before.
After making deep runs at the Canadian Open and US Open, few would bet against the Japanese star challenging for titles throughout the year and making a push for the WTA top 10.
What could stop Naomi Osaka from winning a Grand Slam title in 2026?
Credit: Sofascore
Ahead of the 2026 season, Rick Macci has weighed in on the chances of Osaka making a big impact on the Tour in 2026.
Rick Macci says Naomi Osaka will be the ‘wildcard’ of 2026
Rick Macci is one of the most well-recognised and well-respected coaches in tennis history.
The American coach, 71, is credited with aiding the Williams sisters during the early stages of their tennis careers while the pair were growing up in Compton, California.
Macci, who has also worked with Andy Roddick and Maria Sharapova, has weighed in on Naomi Osaka’s prospects in 2026.
Osaka to be the wildcard and pull many upsets this year,” Macci said in a post on X [formerly Twitter].
“Top ten will be her best friend and be right there in the end. She was a different player last year with the coaching change and had clarity, motivation and a better understanding of the geometry of the court.”
Osaka enjoyed her best year on the WTA Tour since winning her fourth Grand Slam title in 2021. The Japanese star has risen to world number 16 after an impressive latter-half of the season.
Across August and September, Osaka proved that she is nearing her best form, reaching the Canadian Open final and US Open semi-finals.
Rick Macci says Osaka has three main weapons
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In a later post on X, Macci weighed in on Osaka’s strengths and how the Japanese star’s experience of winning Grand Slam titles will aid her moving forward.
Macci said: “Osaka has the 3 tasty items on the tennis menu as weapons. Forehand, backhand, serve.
“She has been a multiple grand slam champion and so the mental fiber is in her.
“Now she has a totally different concept of court position, shot selection, and with the coaching change she found the range and next year many opponents will fear.”
