Naomi Osaka says she is at a stage in life the place she “doesn’t wish to have regrets”, after hiring Patrick Mouratoglou as her new coach.
Japan’s Osaka beat Italy’s Lucia Bronzetti 6-3 6-2 on the China Open in her first match with Mouratoglou – formally the long-time coach of Serena Williams – in her nook.
The 26-year-old cut up with Wim Fisette, who she received two of her 4 Grand Slam titles with, earlier in September.
Osaka mentioned she was initially hesitant about working with Mouratoglou.
“The truth that he was Serena’s coach made me wish to keep away from him simply because his persona is so huge,” she mentioned.
“This is not impolite as a result of I came upon it isn’t true, however I did not know if he was a very good coach or he coached Serena.
“Then I met him, talked to him, labored with him on the court docket. He completely is a extremely good coach.”
Osaka made her return from maternity go away in January however has struggled for consistency since.
She has reached the quarter-finals in solely two of the 16 tournaments she has performed this season and has not gone previous the second spherical of a Grand Slam.
“I feel I am at a stage in my life that I do not wish to have regrets,” Osaka mentioned of working with Mouratoglou.
“I might somewhat pull the set off on one thing and I do not wish to say ‘fail’, however I really feel like I really want to study as a lot as potential on this stage of my profession.
“I strive to not get into relationships with individuals for the quick time period. I strive to consider it as a long-term dedication.”
Osaka is subsequent in motion towards twenty first seed Yulia Putintseva within the second spherical in Beijing.
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