MATCH REPORT | 2024 WTA China Open: Perfect start: Naomi Osaka wins first match under new coach Patrick Mouratoglou

“I think the fact that he was Serena’s coach made me avoid him because his persona is so big,” Osaka said at the China Open. “That’s not rude because I found out it’s not true.”

“Then I met him, talked to him and worked with him on the pitch. He really is a very good coach. I’m really happy that he is taking on this project too.”

She is returning for the first time since winning the China Open in 2019 and has begun training with Mouratoglou ahead of the Asian hard-court tournament. The former world number one is hoping for a long-term partnership and will be hoping it pays off after teething issues since her return to tennis.

Especially when a major title is at stake. Although Mouratoglou is controversial due to his role in the Halep doping scandal, he has long since proven himself to be a renowned coach whose record speaks for itself. Especially because he led Serena Williams to 10 major titles between 2012 and 2022.

“I think I’m at a stage in my life where I don’t want to have any regrets,” Osaka said. “I’d rather take a chance and – I don’t want to say ‘fail’ – but I feel like I need to learn as much as possible at this stage of my career. Patrick seemed like the man with the information I wanted to learn from.”

Against Bronzetti, she fell behind 2-3 in the first set but fought back to take a 4-3 lead. Osaka hit a total of 15 winners in the first set and dropped just one game during the entire match, which lasted 1 hour and 23 minutes. In total, she made 30 winners and 22 unforced errors, of which she made only seven in the second set. Osaka has recovered from an early setback and has already shown signs of an upturn in Beijing.