Tennis star Naomi Osaka commences training under Serena Williams' previous mentor, showing initial reservations.
Osaka recently teamed up with ex-coach of Williams, Patrick Mouratoglou, and commenced their partnership on a winning note at the China Open, beating Bronzetti from Italy in straight sets.
Mouratoglou has a history of handling top-tier talents, having steered Williams to 10 major titles and a career grand slam – the coveted four grand slam titles and an Olympic gold medal. He's also worked with prominent men's tennis players like Tsitsipas and Rune.
Initially, Osaka was hesitant about collaborating with Mouratoglou due to his high-profile image and his association with Serena. However, after meeting him, talking to him, and training with him, she acknowledged his coaching skills and expressed gratitude for his willingness to take on this project.
"His fame made me a bit wary initially," she revealed to reporters. "I wasn't sure if he was a good coach or if he merely coached Serena. But after interacting with him, I can assure you, he's an excellent coach."
She admitted to still feeling a bit jittery around him and often looks away when he looks at her. She feels she needs more time to build a stronger rapport with him.
Post her maternity leave, Osaka resumed her tennis career at the start of this year and currently stands at 73rd in the world rankings. She's had some successful moments this season, such as winning her comeback match, clinching her first Wimbledon title in four years, and making it to the quarterfinals of a WTA 1000 event.
However, life back on the court hasn't been all smooth sailing. She admitted in an Instagram post that she's been experiencing a disconnect with her body and has missed shots she shouldn't be missing.
Now, she hopes her association with Mouratoglou can help her regain her former position at the top of tennis.
"I prefer long-term relationships over short-term ones," she shared. "I like his coaching style, and I think it's an exciting prospect to work with him."
Osaka's new coach, Mouratoglou, has a rich background in tennis, having coached tennis stars like Williams to win 10 major titles. Osaka now enjoys playing tennis with her coach, as they recently triumphed in the China Open, defeating Bronzetti.
