Moratoglou: Naomi Osaka faced great pressure from Serena and me, but she is fully capable of winning another Grand Slam.

In a recent exclusive with Tennis Gazette, veteran coach Moratoglou candidly analyzed the reasons for the failed partnership with his former student Naomi Osaka and spoke about her chances of capturing another Grand Slam championship.

At the close of last year, Moratoglou teamed up with Japanese star Naomi Osaka, a partnership regarded as a strong union in tennis. Moratoglou was the esteemed coach behind legendary Serena Williams’ many triumphs; Osaka herself is a four-time Grand Slam champion and former world number one, recognized as one of the most formidable players in women’s tennis.

At the start of their collaboration, high expectations surrounded the duo. Moratoglou once shared a training moment where Osaka was hitting the ball with intense force, illustrating the hard work she put in to return to her peak form.

However, during their time together, Osaka’s results fell short of expectations. Early in 2025, she faced multiple early exits and withdrawals due to injury. After a first-round loss at Indian Wells, Osaka called it “the worst match I’ve ever played” and apologized to her fans; her world ranking also dropped to as low as 61.

The French coach believes that his long history of success with Serena Williams actually placed heavy pressure on Osaka. Moratoglou now admits, “Looking back, I realize I didn’t manage the situation properly, otherwise her results would have been better.”

From Moratoglou’s perspective, given the achievements he shared with Serena, the partnership may have been somewhat challenging for Osaka. He said, “She mentioned this openly many times, and I failed to find a way to ease that pressure for her, which was the reason she couldn’t perform at her best.”

This pressure likely stemmed from comparisons and high expectations. As a former world number one and four-time Grand Slam winner, returning after childbirth was already a huge challenge for Osaka, and adding the pressure of working with a legendary coach may have affected her performance.

However, after their cooperation ended, Osaka underwent a remarkable transformation. In August 2025, she reached the final of the Montreal WTA1000 tournament, marking her first appearance in a high-level final since 2022. Although she lost the final after winning the first set to 18-year-old Canadian prodigy Mboko, this result showed she was regaining her top form.

Later, at the 2025 US Open, Osaka surged forward, reaching the Grand Slam semifinals for the first time in four years. She defeated top players including world number three Gauff, demonstrating outstanding competitive form.

Moratoglou showed the professionalism of a coach with no bitterness. He stated, “Once I stepped back from team duties, she might have felt relieved. Freed from pressure, she could play more freely. But I hold no grudge against her — she truly is an excellent player.”

When their partnership ended, Moratoglou told Osaka’s agent, “She is 100% ready. Once she finds someone who can help her regain efficiency, she will soon achieve good results.” This prediction was quickly proven true.

Osaka’s technical stats at the US Open were impressive, with her previous reckless swings and self-doubt replaced by precise shot placement and rhythm control. Her current coach, Tomas Viktorovsky, who helped Swiatek win four Grand Slam titles, guided Osaka through the initial phase of adjustment after changing coaches.

Looking ahead to Osaka’s future, Moratoglou admitted, “Now when she steps on the court, her goal is clear: to control every point, dominate the baseline tempo, and seize opportunities to aggressively attack, driving the ball into the corners just like at her peak. I believe another Grand Slam title is not far away.” What are your thoughts? Feel free to share your opinions in the comments!(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Lu Xiaotian)