Naomi Osaka has been collaborating with renowned coach Patrick Mouratoglou since September 2024, a partnership that initially faced some skepticism from Osaka herself, who admitted a reluctance to team up with him after their first tournament together in the previous year. Despite some highlights, such as her victory at her first clay court title, Mouratoglou acknowledged that the overall results have been underwhelming in recent months.
Mouratoglou, who has a history of coaching elite WTA players like Serena Williams and Simona Halep, made headlines recently for his controversial remarks about the lack of superstars in women’s tennis today. Ahead of Wimbledon, Osaka weighed in on the controversy during a pre-tournament press conference, revealing that she had not been aware of Mouratoglou’s comments but intended to discuss them with him. She expressed surprise at the absence of women in night sessions at Roland Garros, suggesting that it felt odd given the talent present in women’s tennis.
When speaking about these issues, Osaka’s candidness and willingness to engage in dialogue reflect her thoughtful approach to the sport and the challenges it faces. As she prepares for Wimbledon, where historically she has struggled, she faces Australian qualifier Talia Gibson first. Should she win, Osaka may meet fifth seed Qinwen Zheng, who recently defeated her on grass, adding an extra layer of challenge to her campaign.
Osaka’s quarter of the draw also includes notable names such as Jelena Ostapenko and two-time Wimbledon finalist Ons Jabeur. Although she has not performed exceptionally at Wimbledon in the past, her resilience and talent give hope for a strong showing this year. As she tackles Gibson on June 30, many fans will be eager to see how she navigates these matchups and the discussions with Mouratoglou that could shape her path forward.