Naomi Osaka Reveals Problem She And Coach Mouratoglou Used To Have
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Naomi Osaka hired Serena Williams' former coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, in the closing stages of last season, and the Japanese star says their dynamic has evolved since the start.
Osaka began working with Mouratoglou after she parted ways with Wim Fissette, with whom she won the 2020 US Open and 2021 Australian Open, for the second time. Fissette now coaches Iga Swiatek.
Mouratoglou and Osaka only had one tournament together in 2024 before the four-time Grand Slam champion was ruled out for the rest of the season due to a back injury she sustained against Coco Gauff at the 2024 China Open.
After recovering from that issue, Osaka started this season very strongly at the 2025 ASB Classic, reaching her first final in almost three years. Sadly, she had to retire after the first set against Clara Tauson because of an abdominal problem.
Nonetheless, the positive signs are there. In an interview with the Tennis Channel, Osaka outlined how Mouratoglou found the early stages of their collaboration challenging because of the 27-year-old's introverted nature.
"He's a really good coach and a really introverted guy. I think at the beginning, I'm quite introverted, so it's really hard to get me to talk, and that was a little hard for him. But now the dynamic is a lot better and I hope we can get a lot more matches in."
Osaka is always honest in interviews and has never hidden from being an introvert. She possesses a unique and entertaining personality, meaning she is entertaining to watch on and off the court.
Mouratoglou probably needed to use all his coaching experience to find the right balance between getting to know Osaka while not making her feel uncomfortable, especially since she has struggled with mental health difficulties in the past.
Osaka's words indicate that the Frenchman has done that successfully. The pair suffered a setback when the two-time US Open champion lost in the opening round of the 2025 Indian Wells Open to Camila Osorio, a performance Osaka called the worst of her career.
However, they got back on track at the ongoing 2025 Miami Open. Osaka recovered from a set behind to defeat Yuliia Stardodubtseva. She was not at her blistering best, but did well to dig in for the win.
Mouratoglou is known for coaching Serena Williams from 2012 to 2022 for almost ten years. He enjoyed massive success with her, although Osaka previously admitted she wondered whether that was due to how good Williams was.
The French coach's spell with the now-retired Simona Halep was much more controversial. Mouratoglou and his team gave her the collagen that led to her positive doping test, effectively destroying the Romanian's career.
He also had three short stints with Holger Rune before the Dane finally gave up and decided it was time to move on from him. Those spells with Halep and Rune meant many were surprised when Osaka appointed him.
It seems like Osaka's decision to do so has positively impacted her game, and she undoubtedly hopes that continues in the coming months.
