In her first four months working with coach Patrick Mouratoglou, Naomi Osaka has learned an important lesson: Don’t judge a book by its cover.
The former world No. 1 confessed this week at the Australian Open that she didn’t think she’d get along with the “straight-laced” French trainer, the former coach of Serena Williams and others, when she first hired him last September, but has quickly grown to appreciate the 54-year-old’s lighter side.
“It’s funny, I’ve told people this. In the very beginning I was a little wary of him just because his persona is very… I didn’t know if I would get along with him,” she said..
“But he’s actually really funny, very hilarious. I didn’t really expect that from him because I thought he was so straight-laced. He’s very funny.”
Mouratgolou has been a calming, supportive presence for Osaka’s since teaming up with her last fall, particularly in light of the injury struggles that the former world No. 1 has experienced in the first months of their partnership. A back problem ended her 2024 comeback season following maternity leave prematurely, and a recurring abdominal injury forced her to retire in her first two tournaments of 2025: up a set in the final of the ASB Classic, and the third round of the Australian Open.
