A successful trial: Naomi Osaka extends partnership with new coach Wiktorowski after Canadian Open final
WTA
Naomi Osaka will extend her time working with coach Tomasz Wiktorowski after a great week at the Canadian Open, where she reached her first WTA 1000 final in three years. The four-time Grand Slam champion was in her first tournament with the Polish coach after parting ways with Patrick Mouratoglou two weeks ago.
The Japanese star started the North American hardcourt swing with a stop at the DC Open, where she fell in the second round to Emma Raducanu. Following that significant defeat, Osaka decided to split with Mouratoglou, with whom she had been working for 10 months without making a definitive leap to the top of the WTA tour.
The former world No. 1 announced her amicable separation from the former Serena Williams coach and traveled to Montreal without a new coach confirmed. "Merci Patrick, it was such a great experience learning from you. Wishing you nothing but the best. You are one of the coolest people I've ever met and I'm sure I'll see you around," Osaka posted after the separation from Mouratoglou became known.
Merci Patrick ❤️ it was such a great experience learning from you. Wishing you nothing but the best. You are one of the coolest people l've ever met and I'm sure I'll see you around 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/oLInWTyeYw
— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) July 27, 2025
Osaka's new coaching relationship pays off
On the day of her debut against local player Ariana Arseneault, it was announced that Wiktorowski —former coach of Agnieszka Radwańska and Iga Świątek— would be on a trial basis during Osaka's time at the tournament. He traveled immediately to watch her debut and begin their time working together.
The partnership lasted longer than expected, as Osaka managed to secure six consecutive victories in Montreal. She saved a couple of match points against Liudmila Samsonova in the second round and was then dominant against Jelena Ostapenko (6-2, 6-4), Anastasija Sevastova (6-1, 6-0), Elina Svitolina (6-2, 6-2), and Clara Tauson (6-2, 7-6), reaching a WTA 1000 final for the first time since the 2022 Miami Open, where she lost to Iga Swiatek with Wiktorowski on her side.
The Japanese player was a slight favorite against the final's debutant, 18-year-old Victoria Mboko, but the Canadian delivered a historic performance and staged a comeback to defeat her childhood idol. Mboko won the title 2-6, 6-4, 6-1, a moment that will be unforgettable in her career.
A Winning combination: Osaka and coach Wiktorowski officially team up
The arrival of Swiatek’s former coach to Osaka's team began to yield results quickly, starting as just a few days of a trial.
"Honestly, I think for me, what’s working well is I am very confident in my fitness. I’m really comfortable just getting balls back now, and I really enjoy Tomasz," she said in a press conference during the tournament. "But I enjoy his coaching style. He’s very direct and to the point. For someone like me, whose thoughts scatter around often, it’s very helpful."
According to Polish tennis journalist Dominik Senkowski, Osaka has decided to extend her partnership with Wiktorowski, as confirmed by her agent, Stuart Duguid. The former world No. 1 will have the Polish coach in her corner for her next tournament: none other than the US Open.
‼️ Naomi Osaka will continue cooperation with Tomasz Wiktorowski, confirmed me player's agent, Stuart Duguid. Osaka recently reached the final in Montreal with Wiktorowski, it was a trial period for them. Their next tournament together is US Open.
— Dominik Senkowski (@dsenkowski07) August 9, 2025
Osaka's expectations for Flushing Meadows will surely be high after her best week in several years. She had a one-set advantage in the final, but pressure seemed to affect her, and her performance dropped in the second half of the match, especially with her serve, where she was broken eight times between the second and third sets.
Nonetheless, the Japanese star guaranteed a rise in the rankings to world No. 25, which allows her to enter the US Open as a seeded player—a tournament she has already won in 2018 and 2020. Osaka decided to skip the Cincinnati Open this week to take physical precautions after playing seven matches in just 10 days.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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