Injured Naomi, Serena could fall fast down WTA rankings

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Naomi Francois Osaka has a lot at stake this summer.

She earned $3.8 million in prize money by winning last year’s US Open. She could earn $58,000 even if she loses in the first round this year.

But she also has 2000 points to defend. If she can’t play or exits first round, she could drop out of the WTA top 10, depending on results for other players.

Though she’s been slumping since winning 2000 points at the Australian Open, Naomi came into the Western and Southern Open at number one due to the WTA ranking system accumulating points for results over the last 365 days.

Naomi’s exit in the Cincy quarter-finals due to a knee injury means that Ash Barty, who came from behind to win her quarter-final, will likely rise to number one.

Naomi has rebounded from injuries before, and her power makes her a threat at any tournament. But if she were to lose early in Melbourne in January, she could drop out of the top 20.

It’s a similar story for Serena Williams, who exited from Toronto, and Cincy, citing back spasms. Serena has 1300 points to defend coming into the US Open. Ranked #8 coming into Cincy, Serena could drop out of the top 20 with an early loss in New York.

(words and images copyright Christopher Johnson Globalite Media all rights reserved)