New Delhi: Japanese tennis player Naomi Osaka on late Friday announced parting ways with coach Wim Fissette after spending four years of training together. The development came after the former World No.1 witnessed early exit in the US Open two weeks ago.
On August 30, Osaka lost to Czech Republic’s Karolina Muchova in straight sets (6-3, 7-6 (7-5)) in the second round of the US Open 2024, which was the final Grand Slam event of this calendar year.
Taking it to her Instagram story, the 26-year-old Osaka expressed gratitude to the Belgian tennis coach and also called him a greater person.
“4 years, 2 Slams and a whole lot of memories. Thanks Wim for being a great coach and an even greater person, wishing you all the best,” she wrote on her Instagram story.
Osaka has won two of her four Grand Slam titles – US Open 2020 and Australian Open 2021 – under the coaching of Fissette. This was the second instance of the two parting ways. The first time the star Japanese player departed with the 44-year-old was in the summer of 2022. However, the player-coach pair joined forces after Osaka returned to training in 2023 after the completion of her maternity leave.
“In 15 years on tour, this was one of my best years working together with amazing people. From every defeat, we worked harder and better and grew a lot,” Fissette wrote in the caption of his Instagram post, expressing gratitude from his end.
“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,” he added.
Osaka has also won US Open in 2018 and Australian Open in 2019 before joining hands with Fissette. The former Belgian tennis player has also worked with the likes of Simona Halep, Victoria Azarenka, Angelique Kerber and Kim Clijsters in his coaching career which started in 2009.
Japanese tennis player Naomi Osaka on late Friday announced parting ways with coach Wim Fissette after spending four years of training together. The development came after the former World No.1 witnessed early exit in the US Open two weeks ago. Tennis Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
