Naomi Osaka admits to ‘avoiding’ Patrick Mouratoglou as he was Serena Williams’ former coach

Naomi Osaka admitted that she had a doubt about her decision to hire Patrick Mouratoglou because he was Serena Williams' former coach.

Naomi Osaka admits to ‘avoiding’ Patrick Mouratoglou as he was Serena Williams’ former coach

Patrick Mouratoglou, Naomi Osaka (Image via X)

Naomi Osaka hired Patrick Mouratoglou and admitted to having a doubt about the decision to work with him as he was Serena Williams‘ former coach. Osaka is in Beijing for the penultimate WTA 1000 event, the China Open, where in the first round, she easily went past Lucia Bronzetti 6-3, 6-2. 

The World No. 73 parted ways with Belgian coach Wim Fissette this month as she felt she needed a “change“. Osaka worked with Fissette from 2019 to 2022, and again they joined hands last year after the 26-year-old made her comeback to tennis following the birth of her daughter Shai in July 2023. 

YouTube video

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 if he coached Serena. 

Naomi Osaka said at the press conference 

Osaka added that without paying heed to the fact that Mouratoglou was Williams’ coach, she decided to hire him as her coach and later found out that she made the right decision.

FS Video

Then I met him, talked to him, worked with him on the court. He absolutely is a really good coach. I’m really glad that he’s, I guess, taking this project on, as well.

Naomi Osaka added 
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Naomi Osaka says she gets nervous around Patrick Mouratoglou

Naomi Osaka doesn’t want to have “regrets” after hiring Patrick Mouratoglou as she thinks that the Frenchman is someone who has the information she wants to learn. Osaka, however, admitted to getting nervous around Mouratoglou initially, but day by day, she is getting more comfortable.

Patrick Mouratoglou, Naomi Osaka
Patrick Mouratoglou, Naomi Osaka (Image via X)

I would say I’m still a little nervous around him. I kind of look at the floor when he looks at me. I’m like… I think I do need a lot more time to spend together with him.

Naomi Osaka said at the press conference 
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Osaka did not play in the Korea Open after her second-round exit at the US Open and is scheduled to lock horns with Yulia Putintseva on Friday (September 27) in Beijing. They have previously met five times, but it is Putintseva who leads the head-to-head record 3-2. Their previous clash was in this year’s Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers, which Osaka won.