July 27, (THEWILL) — Naomi Osaka has ended her partnership with coach Patrick Mouratoglou, less than a year after their collaboration began. The former world No. 1 announced the decision on social media as she prepares for the Canadian Open in Montreal, her first hard-court tournament since the split. Mouratoglou, who previously guided Serena Williams, joined Osaka’s team following the 2024 US Open, but failed to deliver consistent results during their time together.
The Japanese star acknowledged Mouratoglou’s influence in a brief statement, thanking him for the experience while hinting at a desire for change. Their tenure was marked by flashes of brilliance overshadowed by injuries and narrow defeats, including a first-round exit at this year’s French Open. Osaka’s ranking has slipped to 51st, a far cry from her dominant form during her four Grand Slam victories.
A recurring theme of near-misses defined their partnership. Six of her last seven matches stretched to deciding sets, with several ending in tight tiebreaks or 6-4 scorelines. A straight-sets loss to Emma Raducanu in Washington earlier this month proved the final match of their alliance. Osaka’s frustration was evident after a Wimbledon defeat to Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, where she admitted feeling emotionally detached compared to earlier struggles.
The timing of the split suggests Osaka is prioritising a fresh approach ahead of the US Open, where she has previously triumphed twice. Hard courts have always been her strongest surface, making the upcoming North American swing crucial for rebuilding momentum. With no immediate replacement announced, speculation grows over whether she will seek a new coach or experiment with a different support structure.
Osaka begins her Montreal campaign against Canadian qualifier Ariana Arseneault, offering an early test of her post-Mouratoglou direction. As one of tennis’ most marketable stars, her ability to rediscover peak form remains a compelling subplot in the 2025 season.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
