The prediction that Chris Evert made about both Iga Swiatek and Naomi Osaka in 2022 which has sadly not happened since

Chris Evert once made what seemed like a routine prediction about Iga Swiatek and Naomi Osaka in 2022, but only one has held up her end of the bargain since.

The Polish powerhouse has really risen to prominence over the last five years, deservedly snatching the world number one spot in April 2022 before relinquishing 75 weeks later.

And, whilst the last 12 months have been tougher by comparison for the 23-year-old, a Wimbledon title earlier this month has made all that turmoil worthwhile.

Many feel that Swiatek is back, ready to challenge Aryna Sabalenka’s dominance at the top of the world rankings and once again compete for elite honours regularly.

Naomi Osaka, meanwhile, is still struggling to get her footing after returning to the sport just last year.

The prediction that Chris Evert made about Iga Swiatek and Naomi Osaka in 2022

Few could have predicted that the Japanese tennis star would take such a long period out of the game to have a child mid-career, least of all Evert, given what she claimed in 2022.

However, few can also blame her for following her dreams and not allowing tennis to stop her from living her life.

I think we’re going to see a lot of major finals between @iga_swiatek and @naomiosaka So happy to see Naomi back and Iva was in the zone today. 👏👏👏to both players!

— Chris Evert (@ChrissieEvert) April 2, 2022

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She is back now and competing at an admirable level. It is just not quite at the same standing as it was before she took the break.

And that was to be expected.

Such a huge physical overhaul was bound to take time, and while the readjustment period has gone on longer than she would have liked, Osaka remains a threat in any draw.

At one point, she was arguably the most dominant hard-court player in the world.

And yet, she was crushed in the Miami Open final that provoked Evert’s prediction, as she stated that she was expecting many more title showdowns between these two.

Since then, they have played just once, in the second round of the French Open.

Iga Swiatek has overtaken Naomi Osaka since 2022

At the time of this 2022 showdown, Osaka was well above Swiatek both in terms of stature and silverware won.

It’s fair to say that the script has been well and truly flipped in just three short years.

The 27-year-old had won four Grand Slam titles whilst Swiatek had won just one, although she would go on to claim both the French Open and the US Open in that same year after Miami.

And now, it’s the youngster who has just claimed her sixth major, and is one Australian Open triumph away from a career grand slam.

Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Since then, Swiatek has reached 22 more finals, winning a further 17 titles.

Osaka, sadly, has been in just one final since, retiring injured in Auckland earlier this year.

There’s still time for this Evert prediction to come true, but on current form, it seems really unlikely.