Coach Wim Fissette announces split with Naomi Osaka

Osaka is set to return to the tour in San Jose in early August, which will be her first tournament since Roland-Garros in May

Naomi Osaka and Wim Fissette at the WTA Brisbane International in 2020

Naomi Osaka of Japan and coach Wim Fissette ahead of the 2020 Brisbane International WTA Premier tennis tournament Image Credit: Zuma / Panoramic

Haresh Ramchandani

July 21, 2022

Former world No 1 Naomi Osaka has split with her coach Wim Fissette after working together for two and a half years with the Belgian coach.

The split was announced by Fissette on his social media account, where he said it had been a privilege to work with the four-time Grand Slam winner and wished her all the best.

The 42-year-old Fissette has earlier worked with several players including Grand Slam winners Kim Clijsters, Victoria Azarenka, Simona Halep and Angelique Kerber.

“It has been a privilege to coach Naomi since 2019 and see her grow into the champion she has become,” Fissette said in the update. “She has inspired a whole new generation to fall in love with the game & to speak up for what they believe in. It’s been incredible to play a part in that journey. Thank you … I wish you all the best and looking forward to my next chapter.”

While working with Fissette, Naomi Osaka won two Grand Slam titles, the 2020 US Open and the 2021 Australian Open. Limited to six tournaments in the first half of the 2022 season, highlighted by a runner-up finish at the Miami Open in March, Osaka is currently ranked 38th in the world.

The 24-year-old has not played since her first round loss at the French Open due to an Achilles tendon injury but will make her return to the tour in the first week of August at the Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic in San Jose.

This is the second big change in the Osaka team this year after she parted ways with her personal trainer earlier in the season.

Neither party has announced who they would be working next.

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