Naomi Osaka is enjoying a deep run at a top-level event for the first time in what feels like forever.
It has been really tough to watch the four-time Grand Slam champion at times since her return to tennis, with the Japanese tennis superstar having admitted herself that returning to the top has taken far longer than she anticipated.
As such, her journey has been an emotional one, but it will surely feel that much sweeter when Naomi Osaka does eventually reach the pinnacle of the sport once again.
She has all the talent in the world, and for a period, was unstoppable on hard courts. Hopefully, this can mark the start of her true return to form.
Naomi Osaka has been thriving since Patrick Mouratoglou split
Although not definitively related, Osaka’s resurgence in Montreal has coincided with her split from coach Patrick Mouratoglou.
Having joined up with the Frenchman back in September of last year, the hope was that his history of successfully working with big hitters like Serena Williams would have helped to return her to her best.
Alas, it was not to be, with Mouratoglou having been criticised for his conduct during their spell together.
The decision to end their partnership came after Osaka lost to Emma Raducanu in Washington, and as a reaction, Tomasz Wiktorowski was brought in for a trial period as they headed to Montreal.
Thus far, it has been a match made in heaven.
Although it has only been a four-match spell, she has won all of them with remarkable ease, hitting the ball with far more freedom than she has in recent months.
It therefore suggests that Osaka has an obvious choice to make in response to this instant success.
Naomi Osaka must hire Tomasz Wiktorowski permanently
Not only has the new coach clearly masterminded an instant change in fortunes for the 27-year-old, but the way in which she spoke about the former coach of Iga Swiatek speaks volumes for their potential partnership going forward.
After all, Osaka praised Wiktorowski after her most recent Canadian Open match, noting: “Honestly, I think for me, what’s working well is I am very confident in my fitness. I’m really comfortable just getting balls back now, and I really enjoy Tomasz.
Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images
“But I enjoy his coaching style. He’s very direct and to the point. For someone like me, who my thoughts scatter around often, it’s very helpful.”
With a clear mutual understanding and a return to form to justify the move, it makes sense to make this a permanent relationship regardless of how the rest of this ongoing event plays out.
AloJapan.com