Naomi Osaka parts ways with coach Patrick Mouratoglou as she struggles to regain top forms

Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka has announced that she is no longer working with her coach, Patrick Mouratoglou. The former world number one shared the news on her official X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday.

She wrote:
“Merci Patrick… it was such a great experience learning from you.”

Osaka and Mouratoglou began working together in September 2024. Mouratoglou is a well-respected tennis coach best known for guiding American tennis legend Serena Williams to 23 Grand Slam titles over more than a decade.

Their coaching relationship lasted less than a year, but Osaka expressed appreciation for the experience and the lessons she gained under his guidance.

Osaka, who took a break from tennis in 2023 to give birth to her daughter, has had a challenging return to the professional circuit. Since coming back to the sport in 2024, she has struggled to find consistent success.

Her current world ranking is 49, a significant drop from her previous position at the top of women’s tennis.

In recent tournaments, Osaka was eliminated in the first round of the French Open and made it to the third round at Wimbledon.

These early exits have raised questions about her form and future plans as she continues to balance motherhood with the demands of professional tennis.

Despite the split, Osaka’s message suggests that the decision was amicable and that she holds Mouratoglou in high regard.

It is unclear who she will choose as her next coach, but fans and tennis analysts will be watching closely as she prepares for upcoming tournaments, including the US Open later this year.