It’s been a season of unexpected turns for Naomi Osaka. The former world number one entered 2025 with a renewed sense of purpose and physical confidence. But despite her recent resurgence, her 2025 campaign was forced to be cut short abruptly due to an injury setback that not only halted her progress on the court but also marked an emotional shift. However, after ending her season early, Osaka has also made some changes in her coaching team. 

Guillaume Brunoir, a renowned strength and conditioning coach who has previous experience of working alongside top athletes like Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Mark Lajal, joined her team in the later phase of the 2024 season. He was brought in from his academy by Patrick Mouratoglou himself. But despite Naomi Osaka parting ways with Mouratoglou back in July this year, Brunoir remained in her team ever since. He, along with Osaka’s new coach, Tomasz Wiktorowski, brought in some massive success in recent times. 

However, Brunoir recently confirmed their split through an IG post, saying, “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.”

He further added, “Proud of the work, the growth, and the bond built during these months. Thankful for the path we shared. 🙏🏽 Ready for the next move.” Though details around the split remain private, Naomi Osaka‘s response to this post hinted at grace rather than grievance. She commented, “Thanks for everything 🙏🏾 wishing you the best on what’s to come!” In reply to this, the coach wrote, “Always grateful 🙏🏽.”

He further added, “Proud of the work, the growth, and the bond built during these months. Thankful for the path we shared. 🙏🏽 Ready for the next move.” Though details around the split remain private, Naomi Osaka‘s response to this post hinted at grace rather than grievance. She commented, “Thanks for everything 🙏🏾 wishing you the best on what’s to come!” In reply to this, the coach wrote, “Always grateful 🙏🏽.”

Now, as the tennis world looks ahead to 2026, Osaka’s focus remains firmly on recovery and renewal. Her journey back to full form may take time, but if her past comebacks are any indication, the four-time Grand Slam champion’s story is far from over. But what do her previous coaches have to say about their experience of working with her?

Patrick Mouratoglou and Wim Fissette share their thoughts about working with Naomi Osaka

Naomi Osaka’s journey in tennis has been as much about self-discovery as it has been about triumph. Over the years, her box has seen some of the sport’s finest minds—from Patrick Mouratoglou, the strategist behind Serena Williams’ success, to Wim Fissette, the seasoned Belgian who has molded several WTA champions.

Fissette is one of the luckiest coaches around on the WTA Tour. Other than coaching Osaka in the past, he has now also got the opportunity to work with another WTA star, Iga Swiatek. With the Belgian in her team, Swiatek won the Wimbledon title this year, and before that, with Osaka, he had tasted success at the 2020 US Open and the 2021 AO. But what has his experience been of working with WTA stars like these two?

During a recent conversation on the ‘Inside-In’ podcast, Fissette said, “Going from Naomi Osaka to Iga, it’s a completely different style. I cannot even compare. Sometimes people ask me, ‘aren’t they a bit similar, they are both a bit introverted.’ I mean, both of them are a bit introverted, but that’s where it ends. They are completely different players, and they need a completely different coaching style. I honestly really like that about my job, finding ways and getting to know the player. Listening to the player and, at the end, finding these ingredients that can help the player win these big titles.” 

His paths may have diverged from Naomi Osaka, but just like Patrick Mouratoglou, even Wim Fissette shares a deep respect for the Japanese star. In a previous interview on the Business of Sport podcast, Mouratoglou spoke about what really went wrong with her partnership with Osaka. He spoke about how the “effect of Serena” impacted Osaka’s mindset heavily. 

He revealed, “She said to me that it’s too much pressure; what you did with Serena is so unbelievable, I feel I need to do the same. So I realized it, because she said it very clearly, and I found a way to make her feel lighter and made her feel that I did not expect her to achieve anything; I just wanted her to express herself during matches…She said in her press conference that ‘I feel bad for Patrick’ because he is used to winning so much, and I can’t win three matches in a row. It was too heavy. That’s why when we stopped to collaborate, straight away she could perform.”

Later on, while speaking to The Guardian, Patrick Mouratoglou said he’s not surprised by Naomi Osaka’s return to form, and he thinks she deserves to have a spot at the very top of the game. Even during the Wuhan Open, Osaka expressed her will to end the year inside the Top 10. But sadly for her, the injury hindered her goal to finish the year on a higher note in 2025. 

But according to Mouratoglou, “For women’s tennis to have Naomi back in the mix is amazing. She’s one of the most iconic players of the last five years.” Do you think Osaka can throw a major challenge to Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka at the major tournaments in 2026, though?