
Thu Mar 06 02:10:00 UTC 2025: ## Osaka’s Comeback: New Coach, Renewed Confidence
**Indian Wells, CA** – Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka is experiencing a resurgence in her tennis career, fueled by a renewed focus on mental fortitude and a new coaching partnership with renowned tennis coach Patrick Mouratoglou. After a period of self-doubt and a coaching change last year, Osaka is showing signs of returning to her dominant form.
Mouratoglou, who previously coached Serena Williams, attributes Osaka’s improvement to a concerted effort to address her confidence issues. He emphasizes the importance of daily practice in building self-belief, a crucial element Osaka had previously struggled with. While she hasn’t yet secured a title under Mouratoglou’s guidance, near misses and strong performances, like her recent comeback win against Karolina Muchova at the Australian Open, demonstrate significant progress.
“She just had to believe in herself a lot more,” Osaka stated after her Australian Open victory. Mouratoglou echoes this sentiment, highlighting Osaka’s openness to learning and her unwavering dedication to improving her game. He emphasizes that their work focuses not only on technical skills but also on managing the mental challenges inherent in elite competition, teaching her to acknowledge and manage moments of self-doubt without letting them derail her performance. He compares her approach to that of other all-time greats like Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, who consistently seek improvement despite their achievements.
This week, Osaka will compete in the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells, aiming to build on her recent successes and solidify her comeback. Mouratoglou expresses unwavering confidence in Osaka’s potential, emphasizing her eagerness to learn and her exceptional talent. He believes she possesses the potential to win many more Grand Slam titles. The coach stresses that working with a superstar is no different than coaching any other player, emphasizing the importance of treating everyone with respect and fostering an environment of growth and improvement. The focus remains on building on strengths and strategically addressing areas needing improvement, rather than dwelling on past mistakes.