In a candid revelation, Japanese tennis sensation Naomi Osaka recently shared her initial reservations about her new coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, the former mentor of Serena Williams. After a disappointing early departure from the US Open, Osaka made a bold move by parting ways with Wim Fissette, the mastermind behind her 2020 and 2021 Grand Slam victories. Mouratoglou, known for his charismatic personality and dynamic coaching style, was a stark contrast to Fissette and initially left Osaka feeling unsure.
Osaka’s coaching transition was marked by a commendable progression to the R16 at the China Open and a finalist spot at the ASB Classic. However, her journey with Mouratoglou was marred by injuries that forced her to withdraw from several tournaments, including the Australian Open and the ASB Classic, despite promising starts. Concerns arose after a first-round exit at Indian Wells, but Osaka bounced back with a morale-boosting victory in the opening round in Miami.
Reflecting on her relationship with Mouratoglou, Osaka acknowledged the growing trust and the ongoing adaptation process. She admitted that opening up to him was initially challenging due to her introverted nature but expressed optimism about their evolving dynamic.
Osaka’s initial hesitation in choosing Mouratoglou stemmed from his larger-than-life personality and previous association with Serena Williams. However, her doubts were put to rest after their first match together at the China Open, where she scored a decisive victory over Italy’s Lucia Bronzetti. Recognizing Mouratoglou’s expertise, Osaka expressed her gratitude for his commitment to her career.
Mouratoglou’s illustrious coaching career includes guiding Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova to the WTA top 30, helping Serena Williams win multiple Grand Slam titles, and coaching Holger Rune to his first Masters 1000 title. Despite his commendable credentials, Mouratoglou’s greatest challenge lies in helping Osaka recover from her injury woes and regain her top form.
Following a disappointing performance at the BNP Paribas Open, Osaka showed signs of revival at the Miami Open. She arrived early in Miami for intensive training and displayed impressive court coverage and shot-making skills against Ukraine’s Katarina Starodubtseva. Osaka’s determination was evident in her post-match reflections, where she expressed her resolve to improve and compete with the best.
Osaka’s upcoming challenge is a match against the 24th seed, Liudmila Samsonova. With their head-to-head record tied at 1-1, it remains to be seen whether Osaka will triumph and advance in the tournament. As Osaka continues to adapt to Mouratoglou’s dynamic coaching style and recovers from her injuries, the tennis world eagerly awaits her return to form.