Naomi Osaka's new coach drops 2-word reaction after her run to ASB Classic semifinal

Naomi Osaka’s new coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, reacted to her impressive run at the 2025 ASB Classic. They began working together in September 2024, following the departure of Wim Fissette, who had coached her for four years.

Osaka started her 2025 season at the ASB Classic in Auckland, where she defeated Lina Glushko 6-4, 6-4 in the first round. In the second round, she beat Austria’s Julia Grabher 7-5, 6-3, setting up a quarterfinal clash with Hailey Baptiste. Osaka got the better of the American player and won 6-7(2), 6-1, 6-2.

Following her victory, Osaka celebrated by posting a photo of herself serving, captioning it, "Let’s rock and roll ❤️." Her coach Mouratoglou reacted to her performance in the comments with two simple words.

“Great Attitude,” he said.

Screengrab of Patrick Mouratoglou's comment (top) on Naomi Osaka's Instagram post (@naomiosaka)

This is the first time Naomi Osaka has reached the semifinals of a WTA tournament since her defeat to Iga Swiatek at the 2022 Miami Open. It is also her first appearance at the ASB Classic since 2017. The last time she competed in the tournament, she was eliminated in the third round.

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Naomi Osaka on working hard to improve - “I put a lot of work in throughout last year”

Naomi Osaka at the 2024 US Open - Previews - Source: Getty

On Friday, after Naomi Osaka defeated Hailey Baptiste to qualify for the semifinals of the 2025 ASB Classic, she told the press that putting in the work last season and believing in herself keeps her motivated to do her best, regardless of the results.

“I think the key focuses that I had were just to have a lot of belief and confidence in myself. I think I put a lot of work in throughout last year, and even though the results didn’t show it, I think I’m just continuing to, I guess, try as hard as I can and see where it gets me,” Osaka said.

Osaka and Baptiste had never faced each other on the WTA tour. Speaking about the American, Osaka praised her skill, sympathized with her injury, and appreciated the experience of their high-quality three-set match.

“Baptiste is an amazing player. It sucks that she was injured, but I think we played a really high-quality match, and in a weird way I’m glad to have played a three-set match because I think that’s kind of the experience I need,” she added.

Osaka's next match will be against the winner of Friday's all-American quarterfinal clash between Katie Volynets and Alycia Parks.