Australian Open 2021: Naomi Osaka keen to knock off Ashleigh Barty as world’s top player

It’s been a good few years since Naomi Osaka tasted life at the top. And while she’s not obsessing over thettop ranking, a lack of recognition when she was last No.1 still hurts.

Australian Open title favourite Naomi Osaka is eyeing Ash Barty’s No.1 crown, with memories of her lack of recognition when previously boasting that status still fresh in her mind.

Japan’s triple grand slam champion spent two stints at the top of the women’s game in 2019 and is now at No.3, after winning the US Open for a second time in mid-September.

Osaka – who faces Russia’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in round one – said she would like to be back at No.1, but was no longer obsessed with the number like she once was.

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Naomi Osaka is a chance of knocking Ash Barty offf her No.1 perch.

“I remember when I first got to No.1. I think nobody really acknowledged me,” Osaka said.

“I remember I was in Indian Wells and I was talking to someone. They were like, ‘What side of the draw are you on?’ – and the No.1 is always on the top side.

“It just made me think, like, ‘Wow, people don’t really see me as No.1’. I feel like since that point, two years ago, I just kept trying to prove myself.

“I felt like that wasn’t really a good mindset to have (but) right now I’m at a really good place.”

Osaka is one of several women with a genuine chance of challenging for Barty’s top ranking, although the Australian and world No.2 Simona Halep have a significant buffer over the field.

Fellow stars Serena Williams, Karolina Pliskova, Victoria Azarenka and Garbine Muguruza have all been at No.1, while dual Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova’s been close, too.

The wildcard is returning Canadian Bianca Andreescu, the 2019 US Open champion, who’s been sidelined for the past 15 months since suffering a meniscus tear in her left knee.

Bianca Andreescu hasn’t been seen in a while but could still be a big threat.

Andreescu withdrew from the Grampians Trophy only as a precaution, following a fortnight in hard quarantine after her coach, Sylvain Bruneau, tested positive for COVID-19.

She peaked at No.4 before her knee injury and was viewed as someone who would contend for further grand slam titles and the top ranking.

“I’ve never experienced anything like that (period out). I’m sure a lot of people haven’t,” Andreescu said.

“But I kind of know what to expect going into a big tournament without playing (lead-in) tournaments.

“I’ve prepared in the best way I could. I had a good five-month pre-season and, at this point, I’m just super grateful to be back, healthy. I’m really looking forward to it.”