“Chills rushed through Naomi Osaka when Patrick Mouratoglou told they’d spend 2 hours net training” - Fans amused by Osaka's game at China Open 

Naomi Osaka's net play during her opening-round win against Lucia Bronzetti at the 2024 China Open has amused tennis fans. The Japanese was accompanied by Patrick Mouratoglou, who recently joined her team as her new coach.

Osaka announced her split from her coach Wim Fissette shortly after the end of her US Open campaign. Fissette coached the Japanese from 2020-22 after which she took a break from tennis due to her pregnancy. However, the Belgian coach ended his partnership with Qinwen Zheng to return to Osaka in 2024.

Despite creating some phenomenal moments since her return, the four-time Major champion has been a shadow of her former self so far. To nullify the negatives, she has brought Serena Williams' ex-coach Patrick Mouratoglou on board.

The partnership made its debut at the China Open when the 26-year-old defeated Bronzetti 6-3, 6-2 in the opening round.

However, during the match, Osaka, usually a baseliner, executed a rare net play in a rally on set point and ended up winning it.

Fans were amused by Osaka coming up to the net and winning the point. One fan joked how the Japanese must have felt the chills when Patrick Mouratoglou made her do net training for two hours.

"I just know Naomi was shaking and chills rushed through her body the day she showed up to practice and Patrick told her they’d spend 2 hours doing net training," the fan joked.

Another fan joked how the Japanese coming up to the net was enough to convince them that she would be completing the calendar Grand Slam next year.

"Naomi playing at the net now? I've seen enough. 2025 calendar year grand slam incoming," the fan quipped.

Here are some other hilarious reactions from fans.

"the way she's up there at net swinging at volleys like groundstrokes is craaaaazy," a fan said.

"The net coverage was CRAZY! Jheeeeze," a fan was amazed.

"Comfy at the net 😭😭😭 Bliss!" a fan was delighted.

However, some fans were not happy with Naomi Osaka's net play and made fun of her volleys.

"Volleys straight back to the player 😶," a fan quipped.

"Ummm what in the hell are those… volleys….?" a fan questioned.

"Wtf are those volleys like, she won the point but just block girl its easier," a fan opined.

"I found out it's not true": Naomi Osaka on Patrick Mouratoglou

Naomi Osaka and Patrick Mouratoglou (Source: Getty)

Naomi Osaka admitted that she avoided Patrick Mouratoglou since he coached Serena Williams in the past and also pondered whether he was a good coach or he looked good since he coached the 23-time Major champion. She said, via wtatennis.com:

"I think the fact that he was Serena's coach for me made me want to avoid him just because his persona is so big," Osaka said at the China Open. "Like, this isn't rude because I found out it's not true, but I didn't know if he was a good coach or he coached Serena."

However, she later figured out that he was in fact a good coach and was delighted that he was taking on the role of her coach.

"Then I met him, talked to him, worked with him on the court. He absolutely is a really good coach. I'm really glad that he's taking this project on, as well," Osaka added.

Naomi Osaka will face 21st seed Yulia Putintseva in the second round of the China Open. The winner of their match will face either 14th seed Marta Kostyuk or Katie Voleynets in the third round.