"A whole lot of memories": Naomi Osaka announces split with coach Wim Fissette

Naomi Osaka announced her split with coach Wim Fissette after 10 months. The 4-time Grand Slam champion recently revealed the end of their second period working together. At the end of 2023, Fissette's return to Osaka's team sparked controversy following a controversial split with Zheng Qinwen.

The 44-year-old coach has had a remarkable career guiding WTA players, including several former world No. 1s and Grand Slam champions, such as Kim Clijsters, Simona Halep, Victoria Azarenka, Angelique Kerber, and Petra Kvitova, among others.

Fissette first coached Osaka from 2020 to 2022. Osaka's break from tennis in 2022 led Fissette to form a new partnership in 2023 with rising star Zheng Qinwen, who was already a top-30 player.

However, this partnership lasted only a few months, as when Osaka sought to return, Fissette informed Zheng that he would resume working with the Japanese star: "He broke the contract. This is very immoral. I understand his decision, but my family and I feel hurt. Right now, I don’t want to talk about this person," Zheng stated after Fissette's decision to rejoin Osaka's team became public.

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"During the US Open, I knew he had contact with Osaka's team. Right after the match, he told me that he felt no connection with me. He never said that before. Right after I was defeated, he said that to me," she added.

“I felt very strange. I talked to my manager. I asked if he would go back to Osaka’s team, and the manager said no, he wouldn't be that kind of person. But after a week's rest, he suddenly told me he was going to work with Osaka. It had a huge impact on me, my team, and my family. I cried after hearing that.” Eventually, Zheng replaced him with Pere Riba, former coach of Coco Gauff.

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Osaka made a strong return to the WTA Tour, rising from outside the top 800 to world No. 75 in just a few months. However, she has now ended her partnership with Fissette and expressed gratitude for their time together.

"4 years, 2 Slams, and a whole lot of memories. Thanks, Wim, for being a great coach and an even greater person, wishing you all the best," Osaka posted on her Instagram stories. The Japanese star has not yet announced a possible replacement for Fissette.

José Morgado

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