Naomi Osaka’s Ex-Coach Reveals Strange Twist That Sparked Her Success After Their Split

Just months ago, Naomi Osaka was far from being a steady player having consistent runs. In fact, the four-time slam queen wasn’t even able to clear early rounds in the majority of her campaigns. Despite having a coach like Patrick Mouratoglou by her side – who was previously associated with her idol and 23-time slam champion Serena Williams – the Japanese star found herself helpless on the court. Her honest admission after a first round exit in Paris clearly reflected her mentality. It wasn’t that of a champion but of someone who was trying to meet a coach’s expectations who assisted Williams to new heights back in the day. “As time goes on, I feel like I should be doing better. I hate disappointing people.”

Now this begs the question: did Osaka really thrive under Mouratoglou? Going by the results she achieved in consecutive events in 2025, one can say it wasn’t the case at all. It appears she felt restricted in her own style. While she didn’t say it out-loud, her post-French Open confession was enough to present the sentiments. Expressing disappointment at her own self, she went on to exclaim, “from working with the greatest player ever — Serena (Williams) — to, like, ‘What the f— is this?’ You know what I mean?”

Back in July, Osaka finally parted ways with Mouratoglou after she failed in yet another event under him. The Japanese star was ousted in Washington after losing to Emma Raducanu in the second round. Nearly two months after the split, the ex-coach has now shed light on the real reason their collaboration did not work. Perhaps it was Mouratoglou himself. In an episode of the Business of Sport podcast, he revealed, “When we stopped to collaborate straight away she could perform because physically, tennis wise, she was so ready.”

Explaining the point, he added, “I told her when we stopped, ‘Don’t worry. You’re going to make results very-very soon because you are 100% ready. It’s just about you expressing yourself during the matches. This is going to happen.'”

Turns out Osaka needed to come out from under the burden of expectations – for her own self. “Suddenly, I wasn’t there. So, she didn’t have that expectation and she felt more free and she started to perform incredibly well.” He referred to her impressive deep run at the Canadian Open,“Final in Montreal, then semis at the US Open. But I didn’t make that, you know, she had to get rid (of it). I mean, we had to stop the relation so she could play.” However, there was an undertone of regret because Mouratoglou “would have preferred to be able to find a solution.”

While she may have regained her lost spirits and form after moving away from Mouratoglou, she still speaks of him with high regard.

Naomi Osaka shares unfiltered thoughts about working with Mouratoglou

The two joined hands just months before the end of the 2024 season. Naomi Osaka was just coming out of a hiatus – her maternity leave after giving birth to her daughter Shai in 2023. Everyone thought she would hit the ground running, especially under a guiding light like Mouratoglou. But as was the case, the results weren’t happening. Still, the former World No.1 had only nice things to say about her overall experience with the Frenchman.

Taking to her Instagram, in late July, Osaka simply wrote, “Merci Patrick ❤️ It was such a great experience learning from you. Wishing you nothing but the best. You are one of the coolest people I’ve ever met and I’m sure I’ll see you around 🙏🏾”,

Speaking of the positives, Osaka has actually regained her lost momentum. Starting with the Canadian Open last month, she began her ascent through the ranks with her performance. So much so that she made it to the final of a WTA 1000 event in a long time. Despite not being able to overcome the challenge posed by a young opponent – teenage sensation Victoria Mboko – the Japanese tennis icon knew she was on the right path.

It became evident from her next campaign in New York. After five years since her second US Open title win in 2020, Osaka made it to her third overall semifinal at the Flushing Meadows. American talent Amanda Anisimova hindered her from making it to the summit clash. Still, Osaka would take this campaign as a morale boost moving forward.

As for her latest coach, she has started working with six-time slam champion Iga Swiatek’s former trainer Tomasz Wiktorowski. What do you think? Will she be able to carry forward her form from the US Open into the remaining events of 2025? Let us know with a comment.