Naomi Osaka reveals she initially thought Tomasz Wiktorowski was "stern," but now sees him as a funny person and also someone who knows exactly what he is doing.
Only days before the start of the WTA 1000 tournament in Montreal, the Japanese former world No. 1 decided to end her 10-month partnership with coach Patrick Mouratoglou after their collaboration didn't bring the desired level and results.
However, that wasn't the end of big news from the Osaka camp as the four-time Grand Slam champion reacted quickly and added Wiktorowski to her team. As you all probably know, the 44-year-old Polish coach worked with Iga Swiatek for nearly four years and he guided the Pole to four Grand Slams and more than 100 weeks at the world No. 1 spot.
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When it comes to Osaka and Wiktorowski, it is literally so far so far - the Japanese has played three matches in Montreal and she has as many wins after beating Ariana Arseneault, Liudmila Samsonova and Jelena Ostapenko. This is the first time since May that the current world No. 49 has managed to win three matches in a single tournament.
Osaka: I thought Wiktorowski was stern, but he is funny... He is decisive with what he wants in his work
I think with personality, I was a little nervous because he seems a little stern but hes actually kind of funny. Hell randomly say a joke that I wasnt expecting or something like that. I like him a lot. I know that weve only played two matches, but he seems very decisive with what he wants. And I think that that makes it very clear for me," the Japanese said of her new coach.
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Since Osaka plays against world No. 386 Anastasija Sevastova in her next match, it is looking like a great opportunity for the Japanese to continue her fine run and make her first WTA 1000 quarterfinal since launching her post-pregnancy comeback.
However, even if Osaka fails to beat Sevastova, it wouldn't change the fact that she and Wiktorowski still started their collaboration on a positive note.
