Naomi Osaka recently split with her coach Wim Fissette, under whom the Japanese ace won two of her four Grand Slam titles. Following a string of bad performances, including a second-round exit at the 2024 US Open, Osaka decided to part ways with her coach. Additionally, the former World No. 1 seems to have joined hands with Patrick Mouratoglou.
Soon after announcing her split with Fissette, Osaka was seen practicing with the French coach in Los Angeles. Most recently, she was seen with Mouratoglou at the Beijing airport almost confirming their new partnership. The pair is headed to the China Open, a tournament Osaka will be playing after a long time.
With the pictures of Naomi Osaka and Patrick Mouratoglou walking together going viral on social media, reactions started pouring in from tennis fans. As the partnership between the two is almost confirmed, the fans expect the start of something big for Osaka.
With the new coach, maybe it is the start of something big!!A user commented under Naomi Osaka and Patrick Mouratoglou’s picture.
However, a few fans did not look happy about Osaka joining hands with the Frenchman.
Osaka will play at the China Open and might also play a few more tournaments in the Asian swing. The four-time Grand Slam champion has not been in action since her early exit from the US Open.
Naomi Osaka to start 2025 season in Auckland
With the 2024 season almost done and dusted, Naomi Osaka has already made plans for the 2025 season. The former World No. 1 has announced that she will be starting the new season at the ASB Classic 250 in Auckland. Osaka started her 2024 season at the Brisbane International.
Osaka last played in Auckland in 2017, reaching the quarterfinals. The tournament director confirmed that the Japanese ace be in action in Auckland early next year.
Naomi is one of the premier players in tennis with an exciting and hard-hitting game. It is always challenging to return to this sport after extensive time away but Naomi has shown some extremely promising form. Many believe Naomi will reemerge at the top of the sport and that journey for the 2025 season will start here in Auckland.ASB Classic director Nicolas Lamperin said about Naomi Osaka’s 2025 season. (H/T: ESPN)
Osaka did not get the desired results in the 2024 season. She reached the quarter-finals in only two of the 16 tournaments she played following her 15-month break, and has not gone past the second round of a Grand Slam. With some changes to her team, the former World No.1 is expecting to regain her mojo.