Former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka has announced that she will no longer be working with coach Wim Fissette.
Osaka had been frustrated with her recent performance after being knocked out in the second round of the U.S. Open just over two weeks ago.
The 26-year-old Osaka won two of her four Grand Slam titles while working with the Belgian coach: the 2020 U.S. Open and the 2021 Australian Open.
This is the second time Osaka and Fissette have parted ways.
On her Instagram story late Friday, the Japanese player wrote: “4 years, 2 Slams and a whole lot of memories. Thanks Wim for being a great coach and an even greater person, wishing you all the best.” She is currently ranked No. 75.
Fissette started working with Osaka shortly before the 2020 season began. They had separated in the summer of 2022 but reunited last year when Osaka came back to training after maternity leave.
“In 15 years on tour, 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 a lot. We were very close to a breakthrough.”
After the U.S. Open, Osaka “decided to move forward with a new path,” Fissette added. “I accepted it knowing we close this second run with more good memories and gratitude for building her way back.”
At the U.S. Open, Osaka lost 6-3, 7-6 (5) to Karolina Muchova in the second round. She said afterward: “It’s a little rough, because I do take these losses really personally. It’s like a dramatic word, but I feel like my heart dies every time I lose.”
Fissette has also worked with players such as Victoria Azarenka, Kim Clijsters, Simona Halep, and Angelique Kerber.
