While Naomi Osaka was looking for a way to get back on the winning path, Patrick Mouratoglou was searching for a protégé to work with after the legendary collaboration with Serena Williams. And things started on the right track when Osaka announced the change in her coaching team. Could Mouratoglou produce another notable tennis star? Maybe/maybe not, but this new partnership has certainly led to bubbling excitement in the tennis circuit.
It was just a few days ago that Osaka announced her partnership with Mouratoglou, but even before that, a viral video had dropped hints of things to come. And with the new partnership, fans are already seeing a subtle yet marked change in the Japanese star’s gameplay at the China Open. Just one thing comes to mind after this, it’s all about coaching. Mark Petchey, Prakash Amritraj, and Paul Annacon carried on this conversation during the Tennis Channel Live Podcast. They think that Mouratoglou was the “change” Osaka needed.
During the conversation, the host revealed the inside environment of Camp Osaka, saying, “I spoke to her team, and she is bought in, she is really committed. And in the short amount of time Patrick has been with her, Naomi feels that he has made a big change.” Rightly so, the change was evident at the China Open, as she entered the R3. However, it was not just a partnership based on whim. The French coach and the 4-time Grand Slam champion had their trial run back at LA when they first sparked the collaboration rumors.
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Not only they are off to a great start, but their “relationship has been welcomed by a lot of fans!” What could be better than the circuit supporting an athlete wholeheartedly? However, there is another side to this relationship: expectations. A legendary coach and a strong player are trying to get back on a winning track together, leading fans and tennis enthusiasts to expect a lot from this partnership.
via Getty NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 27: Naomi Osaka of Japan in action against Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia in the first round on Day 2 of the US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 27, 2024 in New York City (Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images)
The host too was bubbling with similar excitement when he said, “I’m expecting big things from them. I feel it’s just one little switch away from being that Naomi that’s gonna be winning multiple grand slams.”
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However, it’s not just the fans who are expecting a lot, even Osaka herself is desperate to win a few more Grand Slams. How would things fare for her? If the China Open is taken into account, things would work exceptionally well for the Japanese star.
Patrick Mouratoglou works magic with Naomi Osaka at the China Open.
It might take a few weeks or months and not just days for this partnership to show its full potential. But, Osaka has already turned around her game with the help of the French Coach. During the opening round of the China Open, Osaka’s gameplay displayed remarkable modifications.
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Osaka showcased the technique of net play throughout the match, aided by her powerful serve and aggressive returns. This helped the Japanese star to get past the first round of the tournament with relative ease, which has been difficult for her since her return. As Osaka had rightly said, “The Asian swing is full of possibilities. I’ve always done really well at the end of the year. I always look forward to it.”
Everyone is looking forward to Naomi Osaka announcing her return at the end of the year and carrying on the momentum to the next season. It’s exciting to watch Osaka regain her form and challenge Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek at the top. Do you think she can win the China Open though?