Naomi Osaka points at initial uncertainty with coach Patrick Mouratoglou's persona after Australian Open 2R

Naomi Osaka recently unveiled the initial uncertainty about going well with new coach Patrick Mouratoglou. After advancing to the third round of the 2025 Australian Open, the Japanese WTA star mentioned how aligning with her mentor was apparently tougher. However, she eventually settled in, finding a funny partner in the Frenchman.

Osaka's potential partnership with Mouratoglou began in September 2024. Although their initial practice sessions were based in Los Angeles, the duo was seen in action at the China Open for the first time. Ever since then, her form appears to have stabilized.

In a press conference after the dominant victory over Karolina Muchova at Melbourne Park, Osaka reiterated how things seemed to be difficult with her new coach.

"Yeah it's funny I've told people this like in the very beginning um I was a little wary of him just because his persona is like very I didn't know if I would get along with him yeah I said that out loud whatever," she said.

Despite mentioning the initial differences, the 4-time grand slam champion also mentioned how their partnership started blooming with time.

"But he's really funny like very hilarious and I didn't really expect that from him because I thought he was so straight-laced but he's every funny," she added.

Patrick Mouratoglou has had a reliable history of mentoring tennis legends like Serena Williams. His portfolio includes big tennis names like Grigor Dimitrov, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Simona Halep, and others. Although his fresh partnership with Osaka has just started getting results, fans are quite optimistic about the Japanese WTA star regaining her form.

Naomi Osaka regards victory over Karolina Muchova as "little revenge"

2025 Australian Open - Day 4 - Source: Getty

Naomi Osaka's 2R win over Karolina Muchova ended up in style. In their overall head-to-head of three matches, Osaka managed to secure her first win at the 2025 Australian Open. Besides the excitement of making it to the third round in a Major event after three long years, she also expressed joy over completing her revenge against the Czech WTA star.

During her on-court interview, the Japanese WTA star made a cheeky statement, regarding her victory as a "little revenge."

“She’s an incredibly difficult player for me to play. She crushed me in the US Open when I had my best outfit ever. I was so disappointed. I was so mad. This was my little revenge," Osaka said.

Their last showdown took place at the US Open 2024. Osaka, being herself, stunned fans with her adorable neon outfit which was topped with a white colored bow. Despite taking down Jelena Ostapenko in the first round, she couldn't hold it against Muchova and therefore, referred to the latest victory as revenge.