Naomi Osaka had a rather unique experience with her coaches this year.
The Japanese surprised the tennis community after she parted ways with Sascha Bajin a couple of weeks after she won the Australian Open. Their partnership was fantastic in terms of results as Naomi went from being barely known to win Indian Wells, the US Open, and the title in Melbourne. Their chemistry also looked fantastic, but eventually that ended abruptly for reasons that were never revealed.
Later on, Simona hired renowned coach Jermaine Jenkins, but that was extremely unsuccessful, with Naomi being unable to win any title during their stint.
Naomi Osaka’s father taking over
Eventually, it was Naomi Osaka’s father Leonard Francois that took over the role as her temporary coach soon after a disappointing run at the US Open. That was wildely successful with Naomi winning 2 consecutive titles in Osaka and Beijing and 11 straight matches.
Soon after her victorious contest over Petra Kvitova, Naomi was asked if she was sure that she needs another coach given the fact that things with her father are going so well. Osaka gave one of her answers:
“Yeah, he’s so annoying. Oh, my God [laughing]. Do you hear his on-court coaching? I can’t believe it. He runs up to the bench, talking about, “be calm.” That’s it. He doesn’t give me any tactics. I can’t believe this. I was so mad [laughing again].
Definitely I don’t think my dad likes watching me play live. Normally everyone knows he sort of just walks around and gets sneak glimpses at the TV monitor. He kind of lets me do my own thing, which I like. Also, I feel like I need structure a little bit because if I do my own thing for too long, I don’t know, I feel like I need guidance or advice from someone, you know?”
Osaka in Shenzhen, ranking, and results in 2019
Ranked no.3, Naomi has a 40-11 win-loss record in 2019. The Japanese is currently having a run in Shenzhen where she toppled Petra Kvitova 7-61 4-6 6-4.
Naomi will square off with Barty in the Round Robin. The head to head is 2-2.
The last time that they locked horns, Osaka won 3-6 6-3 6-2 in the final in Beijing in 06th October 2019.
The Japanese has won 3 titles in 2019 at the Australian Open, in Osaka and in Beijing.
Naomi won 5 titles in her career: 5 on hard courts. (See the list of her titles)
