Roger Federer’s former coach has advice for Naomi Osaka after she employs Patrick Mouratoglou as new coach

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The former coach of Roger Federer had some words of wisdom for Naomi Osaka and Patrick Mouratoglou.

Osaka has begun life under a new coach after ending her partnership with Wim Fissette following a disappointing set of results in 2024.

She chose to hire Mouratoglou who had success with the likes of 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams over a number of years.

But as she adjusts to having a new voice in her box, the former coach of another all-time great says the new pair need to establish something very quickly in order to achieve the desired results.

What did Roger Federer’s former coach have to say to Naomi Osaka and Patrick Mouratoglou?

The tennis world was buzzing with anticipation after it was announced that Naomi Osaka and Patrick Mouratoglou would be joining forces.

Though there have been flashes of brilliance, the Japanese player has yet to rekindle the form that saw her win four Grand Slam titles and become World number one.

Mouratoglou, who has experience coaching a superstar of the game, could be the man to make Osaka a force to be reckoned with on the WTA Tour once again.

But in order for that to become a reality, Paul Annacone, who coached Roger Federer and Pete Sampras, says they must figure out their dynamic and the most effective way to communicate as early as possible.

“I just think it’s really important that early on they set the dynamic of how the communication’s going to go,” the 61-year-old told Tennis Channel.

“Because you have a short window there to figure out if and when the player’s going to buy in and if you don’t you better figure out real quickly how you’re going to adjust because it’s not always what you say it’s the way you say it.

“The players got to buy into it and Patrick’s been with a lot of great players. I’ll be shocked if you can’t figure out how to get Naomi on the same page.”

Naomi Osaka wins first match with new coach Patrick Mouratoglou

Osaka took to the court for the first time since the US Open when she played Lucia Bronzetti at the China Open.

The 26-year-old repealed the advances of the hard-hitting Italian to record a 6-3, 6-2 and move into the next round.

Osaka struck 30 winners to 22 unforced errors in the contest, and seven of those mistakes came in the second set. She will play the tricky Yulia Putinseva in her next match.

“I’m glad that I’m able to play on this court again,” Osaka said after the match. “I hope to be able to lift a trophy again sometime soon.”