Naomi Osaka has confirmed a split with key coach Guillaume Brunoir following an injury that forced an early end to her 2025 season. The Japanese star revealed the decision came after a period of reflection and assessment of her partnership.
Osaka, who had been working with Brunoir for several seasons, acknowledged the challenges presented by her physical issues. She stated that while she valued their collaboration, the time had come to part ways and explore new avenues for her development.
“After careful consideration and recognizing the impact of my ongoing injuries, I’ve decided to step away from our partnership,” Osaka stated in a recent social media post. “Guillaume has been a valuable contributor to my journey, and I am grateful for his expertise and support. However, it’s clear that a new approach is needed to allow me to fully recover and reach my full potential.”
Brunoir, who has previously worked with other prominent WTA players, echoed Osaka’s sentiment. “We mutually agreed that it was the right time for us to part ways. I believe Naomi deserves the best possible conditions to return to her peak level, and I’m confident she will continue to succeed.”
During a conversation on the ‘Inside-In’ podcast, Wim Fissette, one of Osaka’s previous coaches, highlighted the contrasting styles required for her partnership with Brunoir and her work with Iga Swiatek. “Going from Naomi Osaka to Iga, it’s a completely different style. I cannot even compare. Sometimes people ask me, ‘aren’t they a bit similar, they are both a bit introverted.’ I mean, both of them are a bit introverted, but that’s where it ends. They are completely different players, and they need a completely different coaching style.”
Patrick Mouratoglou, another of Osaka’s coaches, further elaborated on the dynamic. “She said to me that it’s too much pressure; what you did with Serena is so unbelievable, I feel I need to do the same. So I realized, because she said it very clearly, and I found a way to make her feel lighter and made her feel that I did not expect her to achieve anything; I just wanted her to express herself during matches…She said in her press conference that ‘I feel bad for Patrick’ because he is used to winning so much, and I can’t win three matches in a row. It was too heavy. That’s why when we stopped to collaborate, straight away she could perform.”
Mouratoglou added, “For women’s tennis to have Naomi back in the mix is amazing. She’s one of the most iconic players of the last five years.”
Osaka’s journey has been marked by strategic collaborations and a dedication to continuous improvement. Her split with Brunoir underscores the importance of adaptability and a willingness to reassess one’s approach in pursuit of athletic excellence.