Updated 2020 WTA Predictions following Andreescu’s Australian Open withdrawal

Thank for so many of you reading my 2020 WTA Predictions article! Unfortunately, Bianca Andreescu has already withdrawn from the Australian Open already ruining my first prediction of this decade! Therefore, given these circumstances my 2020 predictions have been revised as follows…

Updated 2020 WTA Predictions

1. Naomi Osaka will win the Australian Open

Following Bianca Andreescu’s withdrawal, I predict Naomi Osaka to win the Australian Open. I previously said that “Naomi Osaka does not currently possess the mental strength to handle the pressure of being defending champion”..Looking back, I think may have been too quick for me to make this conclusion as she has only had two chances to do so and she was struggling with the pressure of being No.1 both times. Therefore, as she is only ranked No.3 now I believe she will retain her Australian Open title.

2. Bianca Andreescu will win the US Open

Assuming Andreescu gets back to full fitness in 2020, it is hard to see her not winning one of the Grand Slams. She has yet to prove herself at a big clay or grass court event and so her winning the US Open seems the most likely outcome. I previously said “I would have the most faith in (her) to defend a Grand Slam title out of last year’s winners” and this remains the case. Originally I predicted Osaka to win the US Open but I don’t think Osaka could win two Grand Slams in the same season. Therefore, I expect Andreescu to win the US Open once again.

3. Bianca Andreescu will not end 2020 as the World No.1

Andreescu is already worryingly injury-prone for someone so young. So, just like last year, I don’t expect her to play many tournaments in 2020. Therefore, it will be difficult for her to end the year No.1 even if she does end the season with the best win percentage. As a result my revised Top 10 would be as follows…

Rank. Player Name (Country) – Predicted Titles

1. Ashleigh Barty (AUS) – Wimbledon
2. Naomi Osaka (JPN) – Australian Open
3. Simona Halep (ROU) – French Open
4. Bianca Andreescu (CAN) – US Open, WTA Finals
5. Serena Williams (USA) – Olympics
6. Markéta Vondroušová (CZE)
7. Karolína Plíšková (CZE)
8. Johanna Konta (GBR)
9. Petra Kvitová (CZE)
10. Belinda Bencic (SUI)

Have your predictions changed much given Bianca Andreescu’s withdrawal from the Australian Open? Let me know in the comments!