Naomi Osaka Hires Ex-Serena Williams Coach Patrick Mouratoglou for ‘No Regrets’ Approach

Naomi Osaka has made a significant move in her tennis career by hiring Patrick Mouratoglou, the former long-time coach of Serena Williams, as she looks to push herself further without holding back. In her first match under Mouratoglou’s guidance, Osaka defeated Italy’s Lucia Bronzetti 6-3, 6-2 at the China Open.

Osaka, now 26, recently parted ways with her former coach Wim Fisette, with whom she won two of her four Grand Slam titles, earlier in September. While Osaka admitted she was initially hesitant to work with Mouratoglou due to his prominent reputation as Williams’ coach, her doubts quickly disappeared.

“The fact that he was Serena’s coach made me want to avoid him just because his persona is so big,” Osaka revealed. “But after meeting him, talking, and working with him, I realized he’s an exceptional coach.”

Since returning from maternity leave in January, Osaka has faced struggles with consistency, only reaching the quarter-finals in two out of 16 tournaments this season. She has also struggled in Grand Slams, failing to go past the second round.

“I think I’m at a stage in my life that I don’t want to have regrets,” Osaka said. “I’d rather pull the trigger on something and learn from it rather than wonder ‘what if.'”

Osaka emphasized that her new coaching partnership with Mouratoglou is intended to be a long-term commitment, as she focuses on achieving her full potential in the next chapter of her career.

She will continue her campaign at the China Open in the second round, where she faces 21st seed Yulia Putintseva.