Former world No.1 Naomi Osaka has parted ways with her coach Wim Fissette after a successful four-year partnership which saw them clinch two major titles.
Following her return to tennis at the US Open, she took to Instagram to acknowledge their collaboration, stating: “Four years, two Slams, and a whole lot of memories. Thanks Wim for being a great coach and an even greater person. Wishing you all the best.”
Fissette echoed his own thoughts on social media about the end of their partnership. He said: “We were very close to a breakthrough. When you do the right things and keep hearing from peers you are in the right direction, it’s tough not quite getting it yet.”
“As the coach, you keep trusting the process, knowing the lessons are getting you closer to the trophies. After the US Open, Naomi decided to move forward with a new path. I accepted it knowing we close this second run with more good memories and gratitude for building her way back.
Osaka, now ranked 75th globally, staged her comeback at this year’s outset after a 15-month hiatus during which she became a mother. At the US Open – a title she has secured twice – Osaka was able to progress only to the women’s singles second round.
She candidly opened up about her struggles since returning to the professional tennis circuit, admitting that despite reaching the quarter-finals in only two of the 16 tournaments she’s played, gauging her performance solely on results has been challenging. “It’s been a little difficult because obviously I can only gauge how I’m doing by results,” she said.
The former world No. 1 expressed her frustration, saying, “I feel faster. I feel better, but I lost in the second round. So it’s a little rough. I feel like I’m working way harder than I’ve ever worked in my life, so it needs to turn into something.”
Osaka also revealed a deeper struggle with her sense of self during competitions. “My biggest issue currently isn’t losses though, my biggest issue is that I don’t feel like I’m in my body,” she disclosed in August.
She described the disconcerting sensation of not playing to her usual standards: “It’s a strange feeling, missing balls I shouldn’t miss, hitting balls softer than I remember I used to.”
