It can be surprising for regular folks to understand the mindset of phenomenal and accomplished athletes. How is it possible that a tennis player like Naomi Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion and former world No. 1, may question her ability? This is a common occurrence among even the greatest athletes, a subset that Patrick Mouratoglou, a veteran coach and tennis media figure, has dedicated his career to studying. Having coached the likes of Serena Williams at her peak, Mouratoglou has unique insights into the struggles and triumphs of top-tier tennis players.
In September 2024, three-quarters into her comeback season after giving birth to her daughter, Shai, Osaka made the decision to hire Mouratogou to replace Wim Fissette. Despite initial optimism about her partnership with Fissette in the previous summer to prepare for her return to competitive tennis, Osaka started facing confidence issues as results didn’t materialize. This led her to part ways with the coach who helped her secure two of her Grand Slam titles.
Although Osaka hasn’t clinched a title with Mouratoglou yet, she has shown marked improvements in her game. Battling past injuries and setbacks, she has displayed a resurgence in her form, coming close to victory in tournaments like the final of the Auckland Classic in New Zealand.
Reflecting on her journey, Osaka expressed the importance of self-belief and growth. She highlighted the significance of maintaining confidence in the face of challenges, a lesson she continues to work on with Mouratoglou.