Naomi Osaka is looking for a new coach after parting ways with Patrick Mouratoglou.
Osaka announced her split from Mouratoglou on social media, bringing an end to their working relationship after less than a year together.
Shortly after the news was announced, Mouratoglou released a statement of his own about Osaka.
As Osaka looks to re-find the form that saw her win four Grand Slam titles, she will need to find the right person to help her get there.
Photo by Tim Clayton via Getty ImagesThree coaches that could now potentially help Naomi Osaka
Osaka lost to Emma Raducanu at the Washington Open in her last match before officially splitting from Mouratoglou.
Now she will be looking for a new voice to help her get closer to the player she once was as world number one.
Andy Murray
A potential candidate for Osaka could be Andy Murray, who coached Novak Djokovic earlier this year.
Murray has been linked with other players since leaving Djokovic’s team in May, and he could be the perfect coach for someone like Osaka.
The Briton was famous for his close-fought and comeback victories, something which Osaka could find very useful.
Osaka has lost numerous close matches this year and could do with someone like Murray, who could help provide her with the confidence that she needs in the biggest moments of matches.
A potential barrier in the way of this partnership is that Murray has admitted he would prefer to coach a young player next.
While Osaka is by no means old, she is no longer an up-and-comer at 27 years old.
Brad Gilbert
Another option for Osaka could be American Brad Gilbert, who actually coached Murray himself for a brief period in 2006 and 2007.
Gilbert is a multiple-time Grand Slam winning coach, helping Andre Agassi (6), Andy Roddick (1) and Coco Gauff (1) to win majors.
Osaka has admitted she would not keep playing if she is not getting the results, and Gilbert’s track record could be the perfect ingredient for her.
After Gauff lost in the first round of Wimbledon in 2023, Gilbert took over for the North American hard court swing and propelled the American on to huge success.
This included Gauff winning the US Open, Cincinnati Open, and Washington Open in just a matter of weeks.
Gilbert has shown that he can have an immediate impact on already great players, and that could be exactly what Osaka needs.
Nick Kyrgios
The last potential contender for Osaka is a bit of a dark horse in Nick Kyrgios, who is still an active player.
Kyrgios has confessed that his playing days are near an end, but could still remain in tennis after he stops competing.
Osaka needs someone that she can trust as her coach, and her friendship with Kyrgios could extend to a coaching relationship.
Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images for Lotte New York Palace
Kyrgios was in Osaka’s coaching box at Wimbledon this year, and has revealed that it made him consider coaching in the future.
However, it appears unlikely that this will happen anytime soon, with Kyrgios and Osaka actually playing together in the US Open mixed event.
Who coached Naomi Osaka before Patrick Mouratoglou?
Mouratoglou was unable to provide Osaka with the success that has made her the big name she is on the WTA Tour.
Their only title victory together came when Osaka won the WTA 125 event in Saint-Malo, but they did not win any events on the main tour.
The two coaches that have produced the best out of Osaka are Sascha Bajin and Wim Fissette.
Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images
Bajin and Fissette helped Osaka win two Grand Slam titles each, but they are both now mentoring different players.
After she returned to the WTA Tour following her maternity leave, Osaka and Fissette reunited before splitting after the US Open.
Fissette is now working with Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek, while Bajin is coaching Olympic silver medallist Donna Vekic.
AloJapan.com