Naomi Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, announced on Wednesday her decision to collaborate with Patrick Mouratoglou, the highly regarded former coach of Serena Williams, stating that she "didn't want to have regrets." This announcement came after Osaka, currently ranked 73rd in the world, made a strong start at the WTA 1000 China Open, where she defeated Italy's Lucia Bronzetti 6-3, 6-2 with Mouratoglou present in her player’s box.
The 26-year-old Osaka recently parted ways with Belgian coach Wim Fissette, seeking to regain the competitive edge that once elevated her to the top of women's tennis. Reflecting on her decision, Osaka expressed a desire for change and highlighted Mouratoglou's significant influence in the sport, noting, "I like the way he coaches. I think it's going to be really interesting." After her first-round victory in Beijing, she is set to face 21st seed Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan in the next round.
Osaka acknowledged the challenges she has faced since her return to the WTA Tour in January, including a second-round exit at the US Open and only managing to reach two quarterfinals in her recent tournaments. She mentioned that her past experiences with Fissette included two separate coaching stints, with their latest collaboration beginning as she resumed her tennis career following the birth of her daughter, Shai, in July 2023.
Initially hesitant about working with Mouratoglou due to his extensive history with Williams, Osaka later recognized his coaching abilities. "I think the fact that he was Serena's coach for me made me want to avoid him just because his persona is so big," she admitted. After spending time with him on the court, she expressed her relief at finding him to be an excellent coach. Although she still feels a bit nervous around him and finds herself looking down when he makes eye contact, she is gradually becoming more comfortable with their dynamic, stating, "I'm getting a little more comfortable day by day."
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