For a while, Naomi Osaka looked like a shadow of the player who once dominated women’s tennis. At Wimbledon earlier this summer, she admitted she had “nothing positive to say” after another early exit. The four-time Grand Slam champion, once a force on the biggest stages, seemed unsure of herself.
Fast forward a few weeks, and the story feels completely different. At the US Open, Osaka has been smiling again and, more importantly, winning again. She has reached her first Grand Slam quarter-final since the 2021 Australian Open, taking down top seeds along the way.
What changed? A big part of the answer comes down to a new voice in her corner.
Shortly after Wimbledon, Osaka made the bold decision to part ways with coach Patrick Mouratoglou and bring in Tomasz Wiktorowski, the Polish coach best known for guiding Iga Swiatek to four majors.
On paper, Wiktorowski comes across as tough and methodical. But to Osaka, he’s turned out to be something different. “When he smiles, he’s really like a teddy bear,” she said, laughing. “After matches, he’s not harsh at all. He’s always very proud and encouraging. It creates a safe space for me to express myself and my tennis.”
That safe space has unleashed something long dormant. Osaka’s ball-striking once her trademark is back to its sharpest. She’s dictating from the baseline, timing her winners perfectly, and exuding belief in long rallies.
The transformation was clear in Montreal, her first event with Wiktorowski. Osaka battled past top-25 opponents with grit and composure, showing flashes of the fighter who once rose to world No. 1.
“I didn’t give up until the very last point against Samsonova,” she said. “From that moment on, I just tried to be the biggest fighter I can be.”
That mindset carried into the US Open. Her commanding win over Coco Gauff lit up New York, a reminder of how dangerous Osaka can be when she’s confident.
Osaka isn’t just playing well she’s enjoying herself. She admitted she was too tense to smile in her early matches, but against Gauff, she made a conscious effort to be grateful and have fun. “I have the most fun when I play against the best players,” she said.
Her stats back up the resurgence: she has won nearly 80% of her service games and is among the leaders in return points won. More than the numbers, though, it’s the body language the calm demeanor, the little smiles that signal something important.
Analysts say Osaka may not be the most creative player, but when she’s in rhythm, her power and timing are devastating. With her serve clicking and her confidence restored, she suddenly looks like a contender again.
For a player who once admitted she had nothing positive to say, Osaka’s story has flipped. Thanks to her new “teddy bear” coach and a shift in mindset, she is not just competing at the top level again — she’s enjoying the ride.
