Naomi Osaka hires ex-Iga Swiatek coach after splitting with Patrick Mouratoglou

Naomi Osaka surprised a day ago by announcing the end of her coaching partnership with Patrick Mouratoglou after 10 months of working together. The four-time Grand Slam champion had not made the leap she expected with the French coach by her side, and they ended up separating without too many significant results.

The Japanese star has a 21-11 record this season and has reached world No. 49 in the WTA Ranking. With Mouratoglou, she had good matches, but not major runs in the most important tournaments. Her best results: a title at the Challenger WTA 125 Saint-Malo and the final at the WTA 250 Auckland. She also had Round of 16 appearances at the Miami Open and Italian Open, but did not advance past the third round in any Grand Slam this year.

Osaka undoubtedly aims much higher than the results she has had in recent years, and as a former world No. 1, she seeks to give a greater impulse to her career by hiring a new coach who already has experience at the highest level. This is Poland's Tomasz Wiktorowski, former coach of Iga Swiatek and Agnieszka Radwanska.

According to Polsat Sport, the coach is quickly heading to Montreal to begin a trial period with Naomi Osaka, something also confirmed by tennis specialist journalist Ben Rothenberg.

Wiktorowski's proven track record: From Radwanska to Swiatek

Wiktorowski has proven experience as a top-level coach. He was key in the career of former world No. 1 Agnieszka Radwanska, being her coach from 2011 to 2018, years in which the Pole established herself as one of the great contenders in Grand Slam tournaments, reaching the Wimbledon 2012 final and four other semifinals, in addition to winning the WTA Finals 2015 title, among other achievements.

He then had a period with Serbian Olga Danilovic in the early stage of her career, before returning to Iga Swiatek's team as head coach. Wiktorowski helped Swiatek win the French Open titles (2022, 2023, 2024) and the US Open (2022). He was with Iga Swiatek for a total of four years; Swiatek decided she wanted a change after a few irregular months in the second half of 2024, although both had words of mutual appreciation after four years in which Swiatek dominated the tour.

"Generally, we had a very good relationship in the team. During three years of intense cooperation, it is impossible to avoid difficult situations, but even then, we always found a way to reach an understanding and get back on track,) commented the coach after the separation. "The priority for us has always been Iga and everything related to preparing a player at the highest level.”

Shortly after, Swiatek announced the hiring of her new coach: Wim Fissette, who had precisely had his last job with Naomi Osaka.The Belgian coach is still working with Swiatek, in a partnership that has now lasted 10 months and recently brought them their first title together in Wimbledon.

Osaka's hardcourt confidence: New Coach Wiktorowski expected for Canadian Open debut

The former world No. 1 still has confidence that she can return to the top level and fight for Grand Slam titles. She began the hardcourt swing at the DC Open, where she fell in the round of 16 to Emma Raducanu. This week, Osaka will be at the Canadian Open, where work with Wiktorowski is expected to begin this Monday. According to Rothenberg, the coach should be present for Osaka's debut against Ariana Arseneault in the first round of the Canadian Open.

Undoubtedly, this is the part of the year that can bring the best results to the 27-year-old star. A two-time US Open champion, in addition to a China Open title and a Cincinnati Open final, Naomi Osaka feels more than comfortable on hardcourts, and with confidence in her game, she can be a threat to anyone.