The phrase "as a potential opponent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone who may compete or be in opposition to another in a specific context, such as sports, debates, or negotiations.
Example: "In the upcoming election, the candidate must prepare for the challenges posed by her opponent, as a potential opponent can significantly influence the outcome."
Alternatives: "as a possible rival" or "as a likely adversary".
Ferrero may be gone, but Hewitt still looms as a potential opponent in the semifinal.
Mr. Rosado has said that he was lying at the time to serve his own political purpose, eliminating Mr. Espada as a potential opponent.
The Senator, who had relied on carrying the Southern and border states against President Kennedy, appears weaker as a potential opponent for Presi dent Johnson, whose Texas background can hardly have escaped anyone by now.
Wilder has spoken of Tyson Fury, the leading contender for Wladimir's WBO crown, as a potential opponent and this could be a natural fight between two undefeated giants who can both box and punch.
However, Holo Pearl only knows how to sword fight, seeing everything as a potential opponent.
Cannon also told Westwood that he's reached out to Kylie Jenner's ex Tyga as a potential opponent, but the rapper turned him down. .
If the system works as advertised, it will enable voters — as well as potential opponents — to assess his performance with precision when he stands for reelection in 2017.
Mr. Miller is widely viewed as a potential Democratic opponent to Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg in 2005.
Besides the 22d-ranked Zvereva, who replaces Graf as a potential quarterfinal opponent for sixth-seeded Monica Seles, second-seeded Lindsay Davenport, Zvereva's occasional doubles partner, reached the fourth round with a 6-3, 1-6, 6-2 defeat of Venezuela's Maria Alejandra Vento.
WBA champion Santa Cruz name-checked Frampton as a potential 2019 opponent on Saturday after successfully defending his belt against Rafael Rivera.
The Atlanticists themselves see the Islamic world, on the whole, as their potential opponent" (239).
