Naomi Osaka splits with important team member after ending 2025 season
NewsMonday, 27 October 2025 at 22:05
Naomi Osaka's team is guaranteed to look different in the 2026 season after one member announced his departure.
Osaka started this season with Patrick Mouratoglou as her coach. The Frenchman's appointment generated much attention because of his previous lengthy and successful spell with Serena Williams for almost ten years from 2012 until 2022.
Some questioned the move because Mouratoglou has had little success since parting from Williams. He was Holger Rune's coach for three short spells and played a role in Simona Halep's doping nightmare.
Despite a promising start, including reaching the 2025 ASB Classic final in January, Osaka and Mouratoglou parted ways after the 2025 Citi Open in Washington due to not achieving the heights they hoped for.
Although Mouratoglou departed, Guillaime Brunoir, a strength and conditioning coach at the Mouratoglou Tennis Academy, remained in Osaka's team until she ended her season after getting injured at the 2025 Japan Open in Tokyo.
That partnership is officially over. In a statement on his Instagram page, Brunoir announced the end of his time with the four-time Grand Slam champion while expressing gratitude for their shared journey.
"Some chapters are meant to leave a mark. From Los Angeles to Osaka, through every court, every session, every challenge. Quiet focus, fleeting moments, unseen efforts, and the laughter we shared along the way. Proud of the work, the growth, and the bond built during these months. Thankful for the path we shared. Ready for the next move."
Osaka replied to Brunoir's post with a short message thanking him for what he has done for her and wishing him well in whatever he chooses to do in the future.
"Thanks for everything. Wishing you the best on what's to come."
It is uncertain who Osaka will appoint as Brunoir's replacement. She used to work with Yutaka Nakamura, but the highly regarded fitness coach has been with Emma Raducanu since the end of 2024.
Osaka has thrived under new coach Tomasz Wiktorowski's guidance
Tomasz Wiktorowski was confirmed as Mouratoglou's replacement at the 2025 Canadian Open. He had a highly successful spell with Iga Swiatek until the closing stages of 2024 before unexpectedly splitting from the six-time Grand Slam champion.
His appointment brought immediate success. In Montreal, Osaka reached her first WTA 1000 final in over three years, and she was one set away from taking home the title before home favorite Victoria Mboko stormed back to triumph.
That was followed by Osaka's first Grand Slam semifinal appearance since she won the 2021 Australian Open. The Japanese star came within a tiebreak of the 2025 US Open final, but ultimately fell 7-6, 6-7, 3-6.
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Osaka's partnership with Wiktorowski has led to renewed optimism about her having an excellent 2026 season. Until Wiktorowski's presence, she mostly struggled for form since returning from maternity leave at the start of 2024.
If the former WTA world No. 1 has a good off-season, free from any injuries, she could reach the top again in 2026. Many think that would be good for tennis since Osaka remains one of the sport's most significant starts.
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