Naomi Osaka has recently teamed up with one of the most famous names in tennis coaching, Patrick Mouratoglou. But the big question on everyone's mind: Is this a good move for Osaka, or just another high-profile experiment, designed to keep the Mouratoglou PR machine whirring?
The former world number 1, and 4-time Grand Slam champion, has decided to join forces with Patrick Mouratoglou, following a less than stellar comeback to the WTA Tour. For Osaka, this is not just about quick wins; she’s looking at the long-term picture. ‘I don’t want to have regrets. I like the way he coaches. I think it’s going to be really interesting,’ she said. Osaka's clearly not in it just for a couple of tweaks to her game—she wants to soak up as much knowledge as she can from one of tennis' most talked-about coaches.
Interestingly, Osaka initially avoided Mouratoglou because of his massive reputation. ‘I think the fact that he was Serena’s coach for me, made me want to avoid him just because his persona is so big’, she confessed. It’s understandable—when your potential coach has worked with a genuine superstar in Serena Williams, it’s kind of hard not to feel overshadowed.
Not to mention that Osaka’s career was essentially carved out, on the back of her father garnering inspiration from Richard Williams and his daughters. In Ben Rothenberg’s book, ‘Naomi Osaka: Her Journey to Finding her Power and her Voice’, he wrote in detail about how Osaka’s dad was first inspired by the Williams sisters while watching the French Open. He moved his family to America from Japan, so they could follow their (or his) tennis dream, and then later, to Florida so his daughters could train at the big tennis academies. Just like Richard Williams did, he also trained them on the local public courts for free. Williams was a big presence in Osaka’s formative years.
Only Osaka knows whether that history played on her mind, but nonetheless, after a few sessions with Patrick, her mind was quickly made up. ‘He absolutely is a really good coach. I’m really glad that he’s taking this project on as well.’
A project it is. Osaka’s looking to climb back into the top ten, and with Mouratoglou’s guidance, she just might pull it off. But before we get too enthusiastic, it’s worthwhile stepping back, and putting the microscope on the likelihood of a long term, successful partnership.
Mouratoglou’s Coaching Career Has Been a Mixed Bag
Mouratoglou is understandably, most famous for his work with Serena Williams. Together, they dominated the tennis world for a decade, adding another 10 Grand Slam titles to Williams’ already-impressive resume. It shouldn’t be forgotten however—the American was already one of the all-time greats before Patrick stepped in. Would she have continued winning without him? Probably. But he did play a role, and credit where it’s due.
That said, Mouratoglou’s coaching career isn’t all sunshine and trophies. In fact, it’s a complicated mess, with some major highs and some equally major lows.
His first big coaching gig was with Marcos Baghdatis, the Cypriot star who was tearing it up on the court in the mid-2000s. Mouratoglou helped take Baghdatis to the final of the 2006 Australian Open; undeniably a huge achievement for both player and coach. But things took a turn for the worse. Their relationship ended awkwardly, with Baghdatis' father reportedly having issues with his son’s coach. Mouratoglou later reflected on this in his book The Coach, admitting that the problem was their relationship: ‘I had cut myself off from him. Our relationship was at the heart of the problem... I didn’t behave like a coach.’
This early stumble certainly didn’t stop Mouratoglou from taking on more players however.
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova: A Success Story (Sort Of)
Mouratoglou worked with Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova when she was just 16, and within two years, she skyrocketed from outside the top 200 to the top 30. Pavlyuchenkova has spoken highly of Mouratoglou’s motivational skills, saying, ‘He’s an awesome motivator. He always found some clues…he knew how to entertain and how to create an atmosphere in the team—it was really cool.’
But even with all the positivity, she dropped a little truth bomb about Mouratoglou’s self-promotion. ‘The fact that he is a PR man is a fact, I think, and very competent: he promoted himself and his brand very well. But you need to understand that he has people who do this professionally. He just likes this public role.’ Mouratoglou’s public persona has always been a major part of his success, but this is a theme that does come up regularly with his former players.
Aravane Rezai: The Dark Side
Perhaps one of the most controversial partnerships of Mouratoglou’s career was with French player Aravane Rezai. On the surface, it appeared a success—she cracked the top 20 and even won the Madrid Open under his guidance. Years later however, Rezai revealed that the relationship was anything but rosy.
In an interview with Puntodebreak.com, Rezai didn’t hold back, describing her time with Mouratoglou as being ‘like in a prison.’ According to Rezai, he pressured her both physically and mentally, pushing her to the point of breaking. ‘My dad put a lot of pressure on me, and he (Patrick) thought that putting that extra pressure on me would also lead me to be better. And yes, it worked... but there’s a point when that burns you out.’
‘That's why my relationship with Patrick lasted only a little over a year. The people who were with him (dietitians, doctors), who were on my team, warned him. They told him that if I kept burning out like this, I would break. And he told them that he didn't care. He didn't care about my mental health. He put me under a lot of pressure, I was very thin, and the worst thing, is that he had been warned that I was going to break physically and mentally.’
‘I wouldn't say he's a great coach, but I would say he's a great businessman. He knows how to play, how to analyze things from a tactical point of view. But if I go into details... when I won in Madrid, you can't even imagine what he did with me. He put me under so much pressure to win that tournament....’
Rezai went on to explain that she wasn’t the only player to struggle under Mouratoglou’s leadership. She claimed that most players couldn’t last more than eight months with him. ‘They just can’t cope with it! I was a soldier.’
Yet again, the PR machine was mentioned. Rezai claimed she heard all the remarks…‘Patrick Mouratoglou just won another big tournament.’
‘That's what he wanted: pedigree, recognition.’
Rezai’s story highlights a recurring issue with Mouratoglou’s coaching style—he’s intense, sometimes too intense, and not all players can handle that kind of pressure. But while Rezai’s experience was particularly extreme, it’s not the only one.
A Pattern Begins to Emerge
Over the years, Mouratoglou has worked with several players, including Yanina Wickmayer, Laura Robson, and Grigor Dimitrov. if there’s one thing these partnerships have in common, it’s that they didn’t last long.
At just 16, Laura Robson, the British star hired Mouratoglou, but the partnership only lasted six months. ‘We are parting ways by mutual agreement, and I really appreciate all that Patrick and his team have done for me,’ Robson said at the time.
Similarly, Grigor Dimitrov worked with Mouratoglou for six months in 2012, but by September, the relationship had fizzled out. Dimitrov later told his coach, ‘I need to be happy in order to play tennis. Well, I’m not happy anymore.’ It was also at this time, that he had an opportunity to coach the biggest name in the sport, pushing the Frenchman firmly into the spotlight….which is perhaps exactly what he was looking for all along.
These short-term partnerships again suggest a common theme: Mouratoglou’s style isn’t for everyone. He’s a high-pressure coach who clearly demands a lot from his players, both on and off the court.
The Exception…Serena Williams
But of course, there’s one player who he went the distance with. Mouratoglou’s time with Serena Williams was undoubtedly the highlight of his career. Together, they won 10 Grand Slam titles, an Olympic gold medal, and three end-of-year tour finals. It was a match made in tennis heaven. But, as many have pointed out, Williams was already a champion before their coaching relationship began. She didn’t need a total overhaul; she needed someone who could help her fine-tune her game. Full credit to him, that’s exactly what Mouratoglou did.
Interestingly, the difference between Williams and some of the other players he’s worked with, seemingly comes down to personality. Williams is strong-willed, assertive, and dominant—traits that may have helped her thrive under Mouratoglou’s high-pressure coaching style.
Back to Controversy with Simona Halep
After Williams, Mouratoglou teamed up with Romanian star Simona Halep, but their partnership was short-lived and marred by controversy. Halep was suspended for doping, and while she didn’t accuse Mouratoglou of deliberate wrongdoing, she didn’t mince words about the fallout.
‘I’m sure it wasn’t done intentionally, and I’m grateful he admits the mistake was his and his team’s. Yes, they are the ones who gave me this food supplement. And for this error – their error – I am the only one to pay the high price: twenty-five years of career destroyed!’ she said.
Mouratoglou stayed unnervingly quiet when the story first broke, and his lack of public support during the scandal raised eyebrows. It wasn’t until months later that he finally made a statement taking full responsibility, explaining that his team had unknowingly given her contaminated collagen. But the damage was done, and Halep’s career was derailed.
The On-Again, Off-Again Relationship with Holger Rune
More recently, Mouratoglou took on the Danish rising star Holger Rune. Their partnership started with a bang—Rune played some of the best tennis of his young career, winning the Paris Masters and quickly breaking into the top 10. But, like many relationships that came before, this one also didn’t last long.
Rune and Mouratoglou went through a series of splits and reunions, with Rune openly admitting the difficulties they faced. ‘It’s been difficult, with the coaching situation... I didn’t feel like Patrick’s the right thing for me at the moment.’ Despite these rocky moments, Rune still praised his ability to build confidence, which is a big reason why he would re-hire him—albeit on a temporary basis. ‘I think it's important that you have somebody that can build you up with confidence and control, like your emotions and stuff. And that's what I need during my tournaments,’ Rune said.
The situation with Rune is reflective of Mouratoglou’s career. His presence can initially lead to impressive results, yet the partnerships rarely seem to last. Whether it’s his forceful style or clashes of personality, something often goes awry, and players move on.
Rune's mother, who has been candid about the situation, gave insight into the behind-the-scenes tension: ‘I don't know what will happen with the coaching situation now. It's a bit strange. The team that worked at the end of the year (2022) suddenly didn't work in Australia. There were ego clashes between the coaches. The team that worked in the clay season suddenly doesn't work now. Ego clash again? I don't know.’
There’s no denying Mouratoglou’s ability to provide that initial “sugar hit,” but the long-term sustainability remains a question mark.
The Osaka Factor: What Lies Ahead?
So, what does all of this mean for Naomi Osaka? Is Mouratoglou the coach who can help her regain her spot at the top of the women’s game, or will this partnership follow the same short-lived trajectory as many others?
One thing that sets Osaka apart from some of Mouratoglou’s other clients is her clear intent to commit long-term and learn everything she can. “I don’t want to have regrets,” she emphasized. This suggests that Osaka is approaching this partnership with an open mind, ready to embrace Mouratoglou’s methods, even if they push her beyond her comfort zone.
However, Osaka’s quieter, more introspective personality may present a challenge for Mouratoglou, who has thrived with strong-willed, assertive players like Serena Williams. While Osaka has shown mental fortitude in her Grand Slam victories, she has also been candid about her struggles with mental health and the pressures of the sport. Mouratoglou’s intense approach, which has burned out players like Rezai, could either elevate Osaka or backfire if not handled with care.
The good news is that Mouratoglou seems aware of the need to adapt his coaching style. His own reflections on past failures, like his split with Baghdatis, show that he recognizes when his emotional involvement becomes a problem. If he can find a balance between pushing Osaka to her limits and respecting her emotional and mental well-being, this partnership could be a game-changer for both.
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