'Naomi Osaka will WIN it’ - 3x US Open champ makes surprising prediction

Three-time US Open champion, Kim Clijsters, has made a surprising prediction for this year's tournament.

The 42-year-old former world number one believes that Naomi Osaka, (ranked 24th WTA), will claim her third title in New York.

The US Open, the final Grand Slam of the year, is already underway, with world no.1 Aryna Sabalenka, taking the first step toward defending her 2024 title.

World no.2 Iga Swiatek, 24, has also shown exceptional form in recent months, winning at Wimbledon and Cincinnati.

Despite this, Kim Clijsters, one of the most decorated players in tennis history, has a bold prediction for the women's competition.

The four-time Grand Slam winner believes the title will go to Japan's Naomi Osaka.

"I'm going to go with Naomi Osaka for the title. I think I'm ready for another mother to win. I feel like she's playing a lot better. She's doing well, so I think Naomi will win the women's competition," Clijsters told Tennis Channel Live.

Osaka already has four Grand Slam titles—two at the Australian Open and two at the US Open—but hasn't won a major since 2021.

She also took a break from the sport for the birth of her daughter and has struggled with numerous injuries since her return.

Recently, Osaka has found more consistency and, after parting ways with coach Patrick Mouratoglou, reached the final in Montreal, where she was defeated by the young Victoria Mboko, 18 (ranked 23rd WTA), 6-2, 4-6, 1-6.

In the first round of the US Open, the 27-year-old has defeated Greet Minnen, Hailey Baptiste, and Daria Kasatkina on her way to the fourth round, where she faced a highly anticipated matchup against the third-seeded and home favorite Coco Gauff.

In a dominant performance, Osaka defeated Gauff, the World no.3, in straight sets (6-3, 6-2), showcasing a powerful and consistent game.

She will now face World no. 13 Karolina Muchova in the quarterfinals.

Meanwhile, in the men's competition, Clijsters picked Jannik Sinner, (world No. 1), to defend his 2024 trophy.

The 24-year-old Italian as been in excellent form at the 2025 US Open.

He has advanced to the quarterfinals, extending his impressive hard-court Grand Slam winning streak.

Sinner has had a dominant run through the tournament so far.

He began with a routine victory over Vit Kopriva, followed by a straightforward win against Alexei Popyrin.

He then faced a slightly tougher test against World no. 29 Denis Shapovalov, but still managed to win in four sets.

His most recent match was a masterclass against World no. 24 Alexander Bublik, which he won convincingly in straight sets.

Sinner will now face fellow Italian and World no.10 Lorenzo Musetti, in the quarterfinals.