Is it a new dawn for Naomi Osaka? After devastating losses in three Grand Slam tournaments, this Japanese WTA star has made a bold move: a change in her coaching setup. While Osaka has confirmed her separation from her former coach, she has not revealed her new plans. As rumors swirl about Serena Williams’ former French coach, the tennis community is left wondering: Is Naomi Osaka planning a great comeback in 2025?

At the end of the 2024 season, Naomi Osaka announced a quick transformation of her team. The former US Open champion had worked with Wim Fissette for four years, but their time together has now come to an end. Announcing the news on social media, Osaka wrote, “[Four] years, [two] Slams and a whole lot of memories, Thanks Wim for being a great coach and an even greater person. Wishing you all the best.” Fissette, Osaka’s former Bulgarian coach, had worked with tennis A-listers such as Kim Clijsters, Simona Halep, and Victoria Azarenka.

While Osaka’s separation from her former coach is confirmed, the tennis community is eager to know who will take Fissette’s place. Despite Osaka’s silence, rumors have emerged that the former US Open champion might appoint renowned coach Patrick Mouratoglou as her next mentor. While this is yet to be confirmed, the rumor of this collaboration has left Osaka’s fans ecstatic.

According to the Open Court publication, this Japanese WTA star was planning a change in her coaching setup ahead of the 2024 US Open. They reached out to the relevant parties for more information, but only Mouratoglou responded. The French coach confirmed that he had discussed the matter with Fissette last summer when Osaka was looking for someone new to start training with. Open Court also revealed that Coco Gauff’s coach, Brad Gilbert, was on Osaka’s list before he teamed up with the WTA No. 6.

However, Osaka’s recent activities seem to hint at Mouratoglou’s inclusion in her team. Yesterday, the former US Open champion was seen practicing with Serena Williams’ former coach and his squad at the UCLA tennis courts, signaling that her new training has already begun under a new coach.

Though Osaka’s decision to part ways with her former coach might intrigue her supporters, she likely has her reasons. The Japanese WTA star and Fissette worked together after the summer of 2022 when Osaka returned to the tennis court following the birth of her daughter Shai. Despite their professional success, Osaka’s recent performances and her feelings about them suggest why she appointed a new coach after the US Open.

Why did Naomi Osaka part ways with Wim Fissette?

Despite media speculation pointing towards Mouratoglou, Osaka has not revealed anything other than her separation from Fissette. The question remains: Why make such a change in the final months of the season? The answer seems to lie in her 2024 performance. Since her return at the Brisbane International, Osaka’s performance has been lackluster. She exited the Brisbane International in the Round of 32, the 2024 Australian Open in the first round, the Indian Wells Masters and the Italian Open in the Round of 16, and the Miami Open in the Round of 32. She lost in the second round of three Grand Slam events: the 2024 Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and US Open.

After her second-round exit at the 2024 US Open, Osaka expressed her frustration, saying, “It’s been a little difficult because obviously I can only gauge how I’m doing by results, 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.”

Osaka’s frustration in her statement might explain her decision to hire a new mentor. While it remains unconfirmed whether Patrick Mouratoglou will officially join her team, the tennis community wishes Osaka all the best as she aims to return to her old form and ranking in the next season. Do you think she can make it?