Naomi Osaka, the four-time Grand Slam champion, stands at a pivotal moment in her career following her recent split with coach Patrick Mouratoglou. The Japanese tennis star, once a dominant force in women’s tennis, is eyeing a return to the WTA top 10, and renowned coach Brad Gilbert believes she has the potential to join the sport’s elite once more. With Osaka’s ranking climbing to No. 55 after a strong showing at the 2025 DC Open, where she reached the semifinals, Gilbert’s insights, combined with her renewed focus, paint an optimistic picture of a comeback that could reshape the WTA landscape.
Osaka’s journey back to the top has been marked by resilience. After taking a 15-month maternity break in 2023, she returned to the tour in 2024, facing the challenges of rediscovering her form while balancing motherhood. Her partnership with Mouratoglou, known for his work with Serena Williams, began in April 2024 but ended abruptly after just four months. Despite the split, Osaka’s recent performances, including a quarterfinal run at Wimbledon and a commanding 6-4, 6-2 victory over Ons Jabeur in Washington, signal a return to her powerful baseline game. “She can be one of the chosen few,” Gilbert said, emphasizing Osaka’s potential to reclaim a top-10 spot. “She’s got the game, the power, the mentality. It’s about stringing together consistent results now.”
Gilbert, who has coached legends like Andre Agassi and Coco Gauff, outlined a clear blueprint for Osaka’s resurgence. “Naomi needs to play a lot of matches, stay healthy, and keep that aggressive mindset,” he advised. “The top 10 is about consistency—week in, week out—showing up and competing at a high level.” Osaka’s 2025 season has shown flashes of brilliance, with 22 wins and a title at the Brisbane International, her first since 2021. Her performance in Washington, where she fell to eventual champion Leylah Fernandez in a tight three-setter, showcased her trademark forehand and improved movement. “I’m just focusing on playing my game and enjoying the process,” Osaka said after her semifinal loss, echoing a mindset shift toward long-term growth.
The split with Mouratoglou, announced quietly via Osaka’s social media, has sparked speculation about her next coaching move. Mouratoglou, who helped Osaka refine her serve and net play, expressed gratitude for their time together, stating, “It was a pleasure to help guide Naomi.” However, their partnership struggled to translate practice gains into tournament success, with Osaka’s best 2025 result under Mouratoglou being a fourth-round appearance at the French Open. Now working temporarily with her father, Leonard Francois, Osaka is seeking a new coach to guide her through the North American hard-court swing, including the Canadian Open and US Open. “I’m excited for what’s next,” she said, hinting at her openness to new strategies to elevate her game.
Osaka’s path to the top 10 is not without obstacles. The WTA’s current depth, with players like Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, and Coco Gauff dominating, means Osaka must string together deep runs in high-stakes tournaments. Gilbert emphasized the importance of physical durability, noting, “She’s got to stay injury-free and play a full schedule. The more matches she plays, the more that confidence will come back.” Osaka’s history of mental health challenges, which she has openly discussed, adds another layer to her comeback. Her decision to skip the 2024 Olympics to focus on mental well-being reflects a mature approach to balancing personal and professional demands. “I’m learning to take it one day at a time,” she shared, a mantra that has resonated with fans worldwide.
At 27, Osaka remains a global icon, her influence extending beyond tennis through her advocacy for mental health and her KINLÒ skincare brand. Her Washington performance, where she hit 34 winners against Jabeur, reminded fans of the power that earned her titles at the 2018 and 2020 US Opens and 2019 and 2021 Australian Opens. With 3,420 ranking points, she’s within striking distance of the top 30, and a strong US Open—where she’s a two-time champion—could propel her closer to Gilbert’s “chosen few.” As she prepares for Toronto, seeded No. 16, Osaka’s focus is clear: “I want to keep pushing, keep competing, and see where this journey takes me.” With her talent and determination, the tennis world is watching, eager to see if Osaka can reclaim her place among the elite.
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