Two-time grand slam champion Naomi Osaka has paired up with one of Belgium’s most well known tennis coaches.
The former world No.1 has begun working alongside Wim Fissette. The news was confirmed by Osaka’s management team. Fissette is a regular fixture on the women’s tour and has previously mentored players such as Kim Clijsters, Victoria Azarenka, Johanna Konta and Simona Halep. Some of his achievements include overseeing Clijsters win two US Open trophies and Kerber’s triumph over Serena Williams in the final of the 2018 Wimbledon Championships.
Prior to the announcement, there was mounting speculation that the two are working together. Stuart Duguid, who is Osaka’s IMG agent, previously posted a picture on his Instagram account with the caption ‘The Extended Team Osaka’ with Fissette in the photo. Meanwhile, on December 11th a video was posted on Instagram of the two training together. It is unclear as to when exactly the partnership was agreed.
Osaka has been coached on the tour in recent weeks by her father following the departure of Jermaine Jenkins after six months. The 22-year-old has experienced a roller coaster 2019. In January she clinched the Australian Open title to become the first Asian player in history to reach world No.1. However, Osaka’s rapid rise in the sport did take its toll on her at times. It wasn’t until the final quarter of the season where she would add to her trophy collection by winning back-to-back titles in Osaka, Japan and Beijing, China.
“I feel like the year was like a U. Australian Open, amazing. Europe was the bottom part of the U. Not the continent, just my season there. Then Asia was the other half of the U.” Osaka told reporters at the WTA Finals last month.
“I always say when you (the media) ask me at the end of the year what I thought was good or bad, my answer is always: I wish I was more consistent throughout the year. That’s kind of what I’m going to say again this time around.”
Despite the blips, Osaka believes she fared better than last year. Where she made her breakthrough on the tour by winning her first title in Indian Wells and then the US Open.
“Surprisingly, I think this year is better than last year, even though I cried way more this year than I did last year. I also think that’s a lesson that I learned.” She explained.
“It’s just like you have the opportunity to change the things that are happening to you, even though it might not seem like it at the moment. I definitely think that this year was somehow better.”
Osaka is yet to publicly talk about her new coach Fissette. She will start her 2020 campaign at the Brisbane International.
