By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Wednesday, September 25, 2024

 

Former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka confirms she's hired Patrick Mouratoglou as new coach and shares her hope for their partnership.

Photo credit: Robert Prange/Getty

Former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka isn't often unsettled on the practice court.

New coach Patrick Mouratoglou has that effect.

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The four-time Grand Slam champion, who split with Wim Fissette after the US Open, confirmed she's working with Mouratoglou as coach—and is hopeful it's a long-term partnership.

"Yes, I call him my coach," Osaka told the media in Beijing after her China Open win. "I didn't know there was so much interest in my box, but yes [he's] my [coach] right now. I try not to commit to short-term collaborations.

"I try to think that it is a long-term commitment. I like the way he coaches. I think it's going to be very interesting."

Of course, Mouratoglou and Osaka already share an intriguing connection.

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Fans will recall the 2018 US Open final when Mouratoglou was called for illegally coaching Serena Williams from the box during her 6-2, 6-4 loss to Osaka back in the days when coaching was not permitted.

The 20th-seeded Serena Williams was called for a game penalty for verbally abusing chair umpire Carlos Ramos after the veteran umpire hit her with two warnings—one for coaching and one for smashing her racquet.

Mouratoglou, who was captured by court-side cameras making a "move forward" gesture with both hands, told ESPN's Pam Shriver he did try to coach Williams, but said that's standard procedure for coaches in major finals.

"I'm honest. I was coaching," Mouratoglou said. "I don't think she looked at me, but like 100 percent of the coaches in 100 percent of the matches [coach]. "I was coaching, Sascha was coaching too. Toni Nadal is coaching every single point and he's never gave a single point."



The 26-year-old Osaka defeated Italian Lucia Bronzetti 6-3, 6-2 in her first match with Mouratoglou as her coach at the China Open. Osaka said she's still a little jittery around her new coach. 

"I would say I'm still a little nervous around him," Osaka said. "I look down at the ground when he looks at me.

"I think I need to spend a lot more time with him. I feel a little more comfortable day by day."

Osaka will face 21st-seeded Yulia Putintseva in the second round.