By Tennis Now | Friday, September 13, 2019
Naomi Osaka announced she's split from coach Jermaine Jenkins.
Photo credit: US Open Facebook
Naomi Osaka has cut another coaching cord.
The two-time Grand Slam champion announced on Twitter she's split with coach Jermaine Jenkins.
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It is Osaka's second coaching split of the season. She hired Jenkins in February after parting company with former coach Sascha Bajin.
"I'm super grateful for the time we spent together and the things I learned on and off the court but I feel like now is an appropriate time for change," Osaka wrote on Twitter. "Appreciate you, forever warmed by you ... Thank you for everything, it was a blast."
Since capturing her third career title at the Australian Open in January, Osaka has not reached a final in her last 12 events with her best result a semifinal showing in Stuttgart in April. Osaka's US Open title defense ended with a round of 16 loss to Belinda Bencic, her third straight loss of the season to the Swiss.
Jenkins served as Venus Williams’ hitting partner from 2015 until last last season. He is the brother of Jarmere, who served as Serena Williams’ hitting partner.
A former all-American at Clemson, Jenkins was hired to be the USTA’s new national women’s coach earlier this season.
Osaka parted ways with Sascha Bajin after the Australian Open, and struggled on court in Dubai when she was knocked off by Kristina Mladenovic in her first match.