Naomi Osaka trials new coach Wiktorowski after Mouratoglou split
Osaka announced the parting with Frenchman Mouratoglou, the former coach of superstar Serena Williams, on social media on Monday before defeating Canadian qualifier Ariana Arseneault 6-4, 6-2 in 76 minutes in a first round match at the WTA Canadian Open in Montreal.
Osaka, ranked 49th, began working in Canada with Wiktorowski, who coached Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska from 2011-2018, helping her reach the Wimbledon final and world number two ranking in July 2012.
Wiktorowski also coached Poland's Iga Swiatek from late 2021 until last October, a run where she won four of her six career Grand Slam singles titles, before adding the most recent at Wimbledon earlier this month.
Osaka, who improved to 11-1 in matches against players ranked outside the top 100, will next face 13th seed Liudmila Samsonova in the second round. They have split four prior meetings but Osaka won the two they played on hardcourts.
Former world number one Osaka, 27, began working with Mouratoglou last September.
'Merci Patrick it was such a great experience learning from you,' Osaka posted on social media. 'Wishing you nothing but the best. You are one of the coolest people l've ever met and I'm sure I'll see you around.'
Mouratoglou said on Instagram he was 'grateful for the trust, the journey and what we have built together,' and told Osaka he 'will always root for you.'
Under the Frenchman's guidance, Osaka reached the Auckland final in January but retired after the first set with an abdominal injury. She won twice at the Australian Open but retired after the first set in her third match with the same injury.
Osaka won her first WTA title since the 2021 Australian Open in May at the L'Open 35 de Saint Malo, but fell in the first round of the French Open and the third round at Wimbledon. - AFP
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
6 hours ago
- The Sun
Michail Antonio departs West Ham after decade-long career
West Ham United have confirmed Michail Antonio will leave the club after 10 years. The 35-year-old forward's contract will not be renewed following his lengthy injury absence. Antonio has been sidelined since a serious car accident in December left him with a broken leg. The Jamaica international had expressed hopes of returning to professional football. West Ham praised Antonio as their all-time top Premier League goalscorer with 83 goals in 323 appearances. The club stated he remains a respected figure in their history. 'Michail will always be a much-loved and respected member of the West Ham United family,' the club's official statement read. Support for his rehabilitation will continue through training and medical access. Negotiations are ongoing regarding a potential non-playing role for Antonio at West Ham. He was part of the squad that won the 2023 Europa Conference League. 'Everyone at West Ham United would like to sincerely thank Michail for his outstanding, dedicated service in a claret and blue shirt over the last ten years,' the statement added. The club acknowledged his role in ending their 43-year trophy drought. - AFP
The Star
10 hours ago
- The Star
Jin Wei's battling display in Macau a good boost ahead of Paris biggie
Malaysia's Goh Jin Wei hits a return to Japan's Tomoko Miyazaki during their women's singles match at the Sudirman Cup badminton championship in Xiamen, China's southeastern province on May 1, 2025. (Photo by ADEK BERRY / AFP) PETALING JAYA: Women's singles shuttler Goh Jin Wei's battling performance against China's eventual champion Chen Yufei in the Macau Open second round has given her some much needed confidence ahead of the World Championships from Aug 25-31 in Paris. Jin Wei gave 2020 Tokyo Olympics champion Yufei a huge scare before narrowly going down 21-14, 9-21, 18-21 in Macau last week. Despite the defeat, it was arguably the 25-year-old independent player's best performance this year. Jin Wei's coach Nova Armada believes his charge is slowly regaining her best form. "Jin Wei played very well in Macau. She could have pulled off an upset over Yufei after losing to her a few times this year but the Chinese player is very steady now and managed to win in the end," said Nova. "Nevertheless, it was still a good performance from Jin Wei. In the first round, she also did well to beat Denmark's Amalie Schulz, who is not easy to play against. "There was no pressure on Jin Wei and this helped her play her game well. Her performance in this tournament has lifted her spirits and given her some confidence. She is slowly getting back to her best." Nova feels a change in approach this year is beginning to help Jin Wei, who is struggling with health issues, rediscover her best form. "I'm not sending her for many tournaments this year. Instead, my focus is more on helping her train better," said Nova. "She is now getting used to training while managing her heath condition as she has been going through it for a few years now. "Also, we want to save money this year by being selective with tournaments. Next year, I plan to send her for more competitions again." Jin Wei has only competed in eight individual tournaments this year and reached the second round thrice including in Macau. Her lack of results has seen her lose her status as the country's No. 1 in the women's singles to K. Letshanaa, who is currently ranked No. 40 in the world. Jin Wei faces a tough task in the world meet next but will be hoping to spring a surprise.
The Sun
10 hours ago
- The Sun
Alcaraz stays positive after Wimbledon loss ahead of Cincinnati Masters
Carlos Alcaraz remains upbeat despite his Wimbledon final loss to Jannik Sinner as he gears up for the ATP-WTA Cincinnati Masters. The world number two suffered his first Grand Slam final defeat in London last month but insists he left the court with pride. Alcaraz, the 2023 Cincinnati finalist, arrived at the tournament venue on Wednesday, ready for a fresh start in the second half of the season. 'Even if I lost, I left the court proud after Wimbledon,' he said. The Spaniard revealed his goals have shifted as he aims to continue improving and enjoying his time on and off the court. 'But I also want to try and recover the number one ranking by the end of the year,' he added. Alcaraz skipped the ATP Toronto Masters alongside top-ranked Sinner, opting for a three-week break in Spain. 'I took a week off, not doing anything,' he said. He then resumed training at home while spending time with family and friends, making the most of his rare summer break. 'I wanted to come strong to Cincy,' Alcaraz said. The young star, who defeated Sinner in the French Open final before losing to him at Wimbledon, embraces their growing rivalry. 'We've done a lot in tennis in a short period of time,' he said. Alcaraz acknowledged the historical significance of their matches but emphasised that both players have long careers ahead. 'Let's see how far we can go,' he added. - AFP
