Naomi Osaka, the four-time Grand Slam champion, finds herself at a crossroads in her tennis career, grappling with inconsistency and a recent coaching change that has left fans and analysts buzzing. Just a day before her scheduled first-round match at the 2025 Canadian Open in Montreal, the 27-year-old Japanese star parted ways with Patrick Mouratoglou, the renowned coach who previously guided Serena Williams to 10 major titles. The split, announced on July 27, 2025, marks Osaka’s second coaching change since her 2024 post-pregnancy comeback, following an earlier separation from Wim Fissette. Amid these challenges, Rick Macci, Serena Williams’ childhood coach, has stepped forward with pointed advice, urging Osaka to address technical flaws and mental hurdles to reclaim her place among tennis’ elite.
Osaka’s journey since returning to the WTA Tour in January 2024 has been a rollercoaster. Despite flashes of brilliance—like reaching the final of the WTA 250 tournament in Auckland and winning the WTA 125 event in Saint-Malo—her 2025 season has been marked by a 21-12 record and a world ranking of No. 49. Early exits, including a first-round loss to Paula Badosa at the French Open and a second-round defeat to Emma Navarro at the Bad Homburg Open, have highlighted her struggles. Macci, who coached a young Serena Williams and other tennis greats like Venus Williams and Andy Roddick, took to social media to pinpoint the issues holding Osaka back. “Her split step is way off and overall anticipation is on vacation,” he wrote, emphasizing that her once-elite movement has lost its edge. “This can be corrected if it is explained in detail and no doubt her confidence will not…”
Macci’s critique goes beyond technique, delving into Osaka’s mental game. He believes the former world No. 1, who once dominated with a powerful serve and commanding baseline play, is caught in a “negative mental loop.” “Osaka needs to talk to a Mental Expert Coach who can explain the ART OF THE REFRAME,” he advised after her French Open loss. “The brain is a muscle and it has to be trained properly and constantly molded.” Osaka’s own words reveal the emotional weight she carries. After her Roland Garros defeat, she admitted, “I hate disappointing people,” particularly referencing Mouratoglou’s transition from coaching “the greatest player ever” to her. This self-imposed pressure to meet expectations, Macci argues, needs reframing. “Mindset many times determines if you win sets,” he noted, urging Osaka to focus on competition rather than letting others down.
Osaka’s admiration for Serena Williams, her childhood idol, adds a layer of complexity to her journey. Their shared history—most notably Osaka’s 2018 US Open victory over Williams in a controversial final—has shaped her career. That match, marred by Williams’ clash with the umpire, left Osaka in tears despite her triumph, a moment she later said sparked her struggles with depression. Macci, who saw Serena’s early potential, believes Osaka’s “firepower and pedigree” still make her a top-10 talent. “She has the firepower off the ground and can tattoo a serve 118,” he said, referencing her ability to deliver serves exceeding 118 mph, a weapon that fueled her four Grand Slam titles. Yet, he notes her movement lacks the explosiveness of her prime, when she could “fire on a dime” and control the baseline with her feet.
The coaching carousel has added to Osaka’s challenges. Her reunion with Fissette, who guided her to two Grand Slams, ended in September 2024 after inconsistent results. Mouratoglou’s tenure, while yielding moments of promise, failed to restore her dominance. “I didn’t know if I would get along with him,” Osaka admitted at the Miami Open, citing her introverted nature and Mouratoglou’s larger-than-life persona. Despite initial hesitancy, she grew to respect his expertise, making their abrupt split surprising. As Osaka searches for a new coach, Macci’s advice resonates: finding “the right voice” is crucial. He suggests studying tapes from her peak years to rediscover her aggressive, instinctive style.
As Osaka prepares for the Canadian Open, facing local wildcard Ariana Arseneault, the tennis world watches closely. Her 2025 season has shown resilience—she reached the fourth round at the Italian Open and won her first clay title in Saint-Malo—but consistency remains elusive. Macci remains optimistic, stating, “A comeback is a slippery slope like a bar of soap but as long as working hard is her best friend she can get back in the top ten.” With the US Open on the horizon, Osaka’s ability to heed Macci’s call to refine her movement, reframe her mindset, and embrace the right guidance could determine whether she reclaims her status as a Grand Slam contender or continues to navigate the turbulence of her comeback.
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