Naomi Osaka Shocks Fans After Announcing Split with Coach Sascha Bajin

Osaka made the announcement on Monday on her Twitter account.

“Hey everyone, I will no longer be working together with Sascha. I thank him for his work and wish him all the best in the future,” the 21-year-old athlete wrote.

Osaka won back-to-back Grand Slam tournaments, including defeating Serena Williams in a last year’s memorable US Open final. This was followed up by another victory over Czech player Petra Kvitová in the 2019 Australian Open final last month – all under the guidance of her coach, Bajin.

“Winning back-to-back Grand Slam tournaments is a rare and special achievement, and I’m thrilled these results have propelled Naomi to the top of the women’s game,” said American tennis player, Chris Evert, the first to become Women’s Tennis Association world number 1, according to AsiaOne. “Her exciting brand of tennis, coupled with the dignity she displays on and off court, is a winning combination that tennis fans really embrace.”

Under the announcement thread on Twitter, Osaka’s coach wished her luck moving forward in her career.

“Thank you Naomi,” he said, adding, “I wish you nothing but the best as well. What a ride that was. Thank you for letting me be part of this.”

Featured images via YouTube and Instagram / WTA (left) and naomiosakatennis (right)