Naomi Osaka was once ranked number one in the world and won four Grand Slam titles, but has struggled for form recently.
When the Japanese star returned from maternity leave in 2024, questions were asked as to how long it would take her to return to the summit of the WTA Tour.
18 months on, Osaka has yet to win a tour-level title, and currently sits 56th in the world rankings.
Osaka’s first-round exit at the French Open was particularly disappointing, as the 27-year-old had shown promise on the clay, winning a WTA 125 event in Saint Malo, France earlier in the month.
Photo by Tim Clayton via Getty Images
Winning just one of her three matches on grass in the lead up to Wimbledon, things haven’t looked much better following the switch of surface.
Commenting on Osaka’s current form, coach Patrick Mouratoglou gave his verdict on the four-time Grand Slam champion.
Patrick Mouratoglou says Naomi Osaka is ‘very close’ but admits results ‘are not great’
On Instagram, Mouratoglou shared his thoughts on Osaka’s level, admitting that the results haven’t been as good as they were expecting.
“I know what it’s going to take for her to go to the next level, and I drive her to the next destination. I know we’re not that far,” he said.
“I know the results are not great, as good as we expect them to be. But I see the progress.”
The Frenchman explained how Osaka has improved since they began working together in October, 2024.
“It’s not only the progress on the court, it’s a lot of things,” said Mouratoglou.
“She was very much injured in the past, she’s done a great job to make sure that she stays injury-free, and I can see how much she has progressed on the physical side.
Photo by Tim Clayton via Getty Images
“The way she practises now, compared to a few months ago, she went to another level in terms of intensity. How she handles the matches is also better.”
With that in mind, Mouratoglou revealed how far away Osaka is from taking the next step.
“At the same time, I also see what needs to be done. We’ve gone a long way already,” he said.
“That’s why I know she’s very close.”
Perhaps Osaka will take the next step at Wimbledon, an event at which she has struggled in the past.
The Japanese star has yet to reach the last 16 at the All England Club, suffering early exits in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2024.
2017 Wimbledon – Naomi Osaka lost in 3R to Venus Williams, 6-7, 4-62018 Wimbledon – Naomi Osaka lost in 3R to Angelique Kerber, 2-6, 4-62019 Wimbledon – Naomi Osaka lost in 1R to Yulia Putintseva, 6-7, 2-62024 Wimbledon – Naomi Osaka lost in 2R to Emma Navarro, 4-6, 1-6
If she were to go one better and qualify for the fourth round in 2025, Osaka would prove to the doubters that she’s here to stay.
Naomi Osaka’s record since Patrick Mouratoglou became her coach
Osaka has now competed in ten WTA tournaments with Mouratoglou by her side, enjoying varying degrees of success.
TournamentSurfaceRound lost inOpponentScoreMatch wins at event2024 China Open Hard4RCoco Gauff6-3, 4-6, (RET)32025 ASB ClassicHardFClara Tauson6-4 (RET)42025 Australian OpenHard3RBelinda Bencic6-7 (RET)22025 Indian WellsHard1RCamila Osorio4-6, 4-602025 Miami OpenHard4RJasmine Paolini6-3, 4-6, 4-632025 Madrid OpenClay1RLucia Bronzetti4-6, 6-2, 4-602025 Italian OpenClay4RPeyton Stearns4-6, 6-3, 6-732025 French OpenClay1RPaula Badosa7-6, 1-6, 4-602025 Berlin OpenGrass1RLiudmila Samsonova6-3, 6-7, 4-602025 Bad Homburg OpenGrass2REmma Navarro4-6, 4-61Total––––16Naomi Osaka’s record with Patrick Mouratoglou
Winning 16 of her 26 matches under Mouratoglou (62%), Osaka has been past the fourth round just once.
Doing so in Auckland, Osaka reached her first WTA final in three years, when she took on Danish youngster Clara Tauson.
Despite starting well, winning the first set 6-4, Osaka was forced to retire from the final due to injury, handing her opponent the title.
Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images
Only time will tell if Osaka can return to another final in 2025, but she and Mouratoglou will no doubt hope to do so at Wimbledon next month.
The 2025 Wimbledon tournament is scheduled to begin on Monday, June 30.
AloJapan.com