Gauff & Osaka Could Form Exciting Rivalry In Years To Come According To Mouratoglou

Friday, 22 September 2023 at 04:00

Updated at Sunday, 03 August 2025 at 21:04

byZachary Wimer

Patrick Mouratoglou believes tennis could get an exciting rivalry between Naomi Osaka and Coco Gauff in the coming years.

Osaka hasn't won any big trophy for a long time for various reasons. She is currently away from the sport, as she became a mother this year. However, her comeback is very close, with the Australian Open about three months away. It's the event she mentioned as the most likely to see her return.

The Japanese player is certainly one of the best players in the world when she hits her peak, but that hasn't happened in a while, and the question is whether it will happen again in the future.

Patrick Mouratoglou thinks Osaka is capable of producing her peak level again, and he's excited to see her take on the newest superstar in tennis, Coco Gauff.

"I think she is a star. To fully be a star she needed to be a Grand Slam champion, now she is. I think she can win many more. And she is definitely so exciting to watch. She has so much charisma, energy, positivity. I think she has everything to become a big star and bring people to come and watch WTA."

Mouratoglou used to coach Gauff at his academy, so he knows her potential well. She's certainly one of the more exciting players in recent years, same with Osaka. He thinks that her return could be the spark of a really exciting new rivalry on the WTA Tour.

"I'm very happy that Naomi Osaka is coming back next year. I think she's also great for tennis and the rivalry between the two can be exciting."

Osaka has been a spectacular performer in Melbourne over the years, so her return to the sport in Australia will certainly answer many questions about her level.