Naomi Osaka Explains Why She Fired Her Coach

Naomi Osaka explains why she fired Wim Fissette after four years.

Aug 29, 2024; Flushing, NY, USA; Naomi Osaka (JPN) after a winner to Karolina Muchova (CZE) on day four of the 2024 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images / Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

Naomi Osaka inspired fans with her comeback this year. But simply returning the court is not enough for the four-time Grand Slam champion.

Look no further than her decision to fire her coach after the US Open. Osaka parted ways with Wim Fissette after four years and two Grand Slam titles.

Currently, Osaka is competing in Beijing at the China Open. When speaking with the press, Osaka finally broke her silence on the issue.

Naomi Osaka speaks on the changes in her team 🗣️ #ChinaOpen pic.twitter.com/jo1qqM8Py9

— TENNIS (@Tennis) September 25, 2024

Osaka said, "It wasn't anything personal. Like nothing crazy happened. I just felt like I needed a change. It sucks because I wanted to lift trophies with [Wim Fissette]. I'm at a stage in my life that I don't want to have regrets."

She continued, "Patrick [Mourtatoglu] seemed like the guy with the information that I wanted to learn from." However, Osaka was initially hesitant about working with Mourtatoglu.

Naomi Osaka says the fact that Patrick Mouratoglou was Serena’s coach made her want to avoid him initially, ‘I didn’t know if he was a good coach or he coached Serena… but he absolutely is a really good coach’

“Obviously we all know Patrick from his work with Serena. How does… pic.twitter.com/5JbrCcf2zB

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 25, 2024

She explained, "I think the fact that he was Serena's coach for me made me want to avoid him just because his persona is so big. Like, this isn't rude because I found out it's not true, but I didn't know - this sounds so bad - I didn't know if he was a good coach or he coached Serena."

Osaka admitted to still being nervous around Mourtatoglu, but is happy that he took on the "project" of being her coach. Osaka's next match is Friday morning against Yulia Putintseva in the round of 64 at the China Open.

Tennis fans can follow Sports Illustrated's Serve on SI for all the most important news from the sport.

More Tennis News

• Emma Raducanu will miss the China Open after suffering a foot injury.

• Iga Swiatek explained why she will not play in the China Open.

• Coco Gauff (finally) fires her coach.