Former No. 1 Naomi Osaka announces split with coach Wim Fissette

LONDON — Former world number 1 Naomi Osaka has announced that she will no longer work with coach Wim Fissette.

Osaka expressed frustration over her recent results after being knocked out in the second round of the US Open two weeks ago.

Osaka, 26, has won two of her four Grand Slam titles while working with the Belgian coach, the 2020 US Open and the 2021 Australian Open.

It is the second time that Osaka and Fissette have split.

On her Instagram Story on Friday night, the Japanese player wrote: “4 years, 2 Grand Slams and a lot of memories. Thank you Wim for being a great coach and an even greater person, I wish you all the best.” She is currently ranked No. 75.

Fissette began working with Osaka shortly before the start of the 2020 season. They parted ways in the summer of 2022, but began working together again last year when Osaka returned to training after maternity leave.

“In 15 years of touring this was one of my best years working with amazing people,” Fissette wrote in an Instagram post on Saturday. “From every defeat we worked harder and better and grew so much. We were so close to a breakthrough.”

After the US Open, Osaka decided “to walk a new path,” he added. “I accepted it knowing that we will end this second run with more good memories and gratitude for building her way back.”

At Flushing Meadows, Osaka lost 6-3, 7-6 (5) to Karolina Muchova in the second round. Afterwards she said: “It’s a bit tough because I take these losses really personally. It’s a dramatic word, but I feel like my heart dies every time I lose.”

Fissette has previously worked with players such as Victoria Azarenka, Kim Clijsters, Simona Halep and Angelique Kerber.