Osaka splits with coach after ‘difficult’ slam return

Former world No.1 Naomi Osaka has parted ways with coach Wim Fissette following a slow start to her return to the grand slam circuit.
Fissette assisted the star to two major titles across four years, however, a openly frustrated Osaka has struggled to record consistent results in recent tournaments.
The 26-year-old took to Instagram to announce the news.
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“Four years, two Slams and a whole lot of memories,” she wrote on her story.
“Thanks Wim for being a great coach and an even greater person. Wishing you all the best.”
The Japanese tennis star commenced training with the Belgian coach in 2020, before parting ways at the end of 2022 when she was pregnant with her daughter.
Upon return to the major circuit, Osaka rejoined her training sessions with Fissette.
After bowing out of the US Open in August in the quarter finals, Osaka expressed her own reluctance to accept her results.
“It’s been a little difficult because obviously I can only gauge how I’m doing by results,” she said at the US Open.
“I feel faster. I feel better, but I lost in the second round so it’s a little rough.
“I feel like I’m working way harder than I’ve ever worked in my life, so it needs to turn into something.”
Naomi Osaka of Japan and her coach Wim Fisette during a training session ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Getty
Osaka has been linked to join high-profile coach Patrick Mourtaoglou, however, no confirmation of the partnership has been released.
The Frenchman previously served as the coach of Serena Williams, reaching 10 grand slam titles and two Olympic medals together.
Mourtaoglou currently coaches 14th-ranked Holger Rune.