Naomi Osaka teams up with former Serena Williams coach Patrick Mouratoglou
WTASaturday, 14 September 2024 at 19:30
Naomi Osaka
surprises with a new partnership with Patrick Mouratoglou after splitting from
her former coach Wim Fissette. According to Open Court, the 4-time Grand Slam
champion is already working with the French coach, who was formerly Serena
Williams’ coach.
Osaka joins forces with Mouratoglou following split with Wim Fissette
On Friday,
Osaka surprised fans by announcing on social media that she had ended her
partnership with Fissette after nearly a year of working together. It was their
second period together, as the Belgian coach had previously worked with Osaka
from late 2019 to 2022.
Following
Osaka’s break due to mental health issues and then her pregnancy, Fissette
teamed up with Zheng Qinwen. This ended in controversy when the coach decided
to terminate his contract with the Chinese player to rejoin Osaka upon the
return of the former world No. 1, a decision that did not sit well with Zheng’s
team, who expressed disappointment at Fissette’s choice.
Despite the
controversy, the work with Osaka seems to have yielded good results throughout
the season, with the Japanese player rising more than 750 places in the WTA
rankings, from No. 833 to No. 75. While still low for a player of Osaka’s
calibre, her performances have left a positive impression, with several
victories over top players and a memorable defeat at the French Open against
Iga Swiatek, where Osaka squandered a match point in her favour.
Naomi Osaka at 2022 Miami Open.
Fissette
has an outstanding résumé over the last 15 years as a WTA coach, with
partnerships including Kim Clijsters, Simona Halep, Victoria Azarenka,
Angelique Kerber, and Petra Kvitova, among others. Osaka has yet to provide
reasons for her split with Fissette.
According
to Open Court, Osaka had been evaluating some coaches for some time, having
spoken to Brad Gilbert (before he teamed up with Coco Gauff) and meeting with
Mouratoglou shortly before last year’s US Open, as she was looking for a
high-profile coach.
Mouratoglou,
former coach of Serena Williams, has been in the spotlight over the last couple
of years. He started working with Halep in 2022 and was seen as largely
responsible for the 2-time Grand Slam champion’s doping case. With uncertainty
surrounding the Romanian's return, Mouratoglou began working with Holger Rune,
with whom he has had several splits over the last two years, the most recent
being in July of this year.
According
to Open Court, Osaka was seen working at the Mouratoglou Academy this morning,
although neither the player nor the Frenchman has officially announced their
partnership. The former world No. 1’s next appearance will be at the China
Open, starting on September 26, where she has received a wildcard for the main
draw.
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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