The Tokyo Olympics 2021 is set to be one of the most competitive women’s singles events in tennis as six grand slam champions are in play, know our predictions for the category
If the men’s division of the Tokyo Olympics has suffered some withdrawals, the women’s category has undergone the same fate too. Yet, the women set to participate in the Tokyo Olympics are remarkable competitors and should provide an excellent spectacle.
Some of the most elite women like Serena Williams, Venus Williams, and Steffi Graf have clinched the gold medal at the Olympics. Stefi Graf’s achievement in 1988, in particular, remains a memorable one as she accomplished a golden slam that year.
While a golden slam does not remain in the reckoning for any player, an Olympic gold medal should be motivation enough to pull all their stops. Furthermore, the women’s division undoubtedly seems to be the most competitive this year as six grand slam champions are participating.
Women’s category predictions to win the gold medal in the Tokyo Olympics 2021 in tennis
Ashleigh Barty
World number one Ashleigh Barty will compete in her maiden Olympics event and is coming after winning Wimbledon 2021. Ashleigh Barty captured her second grand slam title this year, clinching her first at the 2019 French Open. The Australian has strong groundstrokes, both from the forehand and backhand.
Despite having a moderate height, Barty is an excellent server and thrives at volleying. The youngster has had an eventful career, having returned from cricket and making her chances count. Nothing less than an Olympic gold medal would satisfy Barty as the top-ranked player in the WTA rankings.
Aryna Sabalenka
Aryna Sabalenka has had a successful year so far, having reached the summit of the doubles rankings by clinching the Australian Open title. After making it to the Wimbledon 2021 semi-finals, Aryna Sabalenka also climbed to a career-best third in the singles rankings. She became the third Belarusian to reach the final four of Wimbledon.
As a baseliner, Sabalenka possesses a powerful serve and solid groundstrokes, with a game based on hitting winning groundstrokes. The 23-year old also boasts of a strong serve and her 165 aces were the third most in 2020.
Simultaneously, it is inconsistent as she produced 166 double faults that same year. However, the world number three remains a strong contender for a gold medal this year.
Petra Kvitova
Petra Kvitova is the only person on this list to have won an Olympic medal. Petra Kvitova clinched a bronze medal in 2016, defeating Madison Keys to win her first Olympic medal. By doing so, Kvitova became the first Czech Republic player of either gender to win an Olympic crown since Jana Novotna in 1996.
But Petra Kvitova has not had a consistent run in the grand slams, mainly in 2021. Nevertheless, as a bronze medalist, Kvitova would know what it is like to compete on a big stage and would be trusted upon to learn from her mistakes. The 31-year old has a solid serve and possesses excellent timing from both her forehand and backhand.
Karolina Pliskova
Karolina Pliskova remains yet another strong contender for the Olympic gold medal as he prepares for her maiden event. Though Karolina Pliskova is yet to win a grand slam, she made giant strides in the majors in the last two years. Pliskova made it to the Australian Open semi-final in 2019 and Wimbledon 2021 final.
Aside from that, the world number seven also reached her first French Open doubles quarter-final. Thus, the expectation would be to keep continuing her progress. The 29-year old has aggressive gameplay, highlighted by her powerful serves, solid groundstrokes, and attacking net play.
Naomi Osaka
Making her comeback into professional Tennis would be Naomi Osaka and playing for the first time since June. Naomi Osaka pulled out of the 2021 French Open after the media vilified her for not wanting to deliver press conferences. Osaka won her first-round match in straight sets and pulled out soon after.
The 23-year old also withdrew from the Wimbledon, but predictably revealed she intended to participate in the Olympics. The world number two would be roaring to get back to the groove and silence the controversy around her. And there’s no better way to accomplish it than doing it in front of the home crowd.
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