Naomi Osaka addressed Aryna Sabalenka’s lighthearted but pointed remarks about her decision to rejoin IMG following their Round of 16 meeting at the 2026 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. The Belarusian star, who defeated Osaka 6-2, 6-4 to reach the quarterfinals, said she felt “sorry” for the Japanese player for returning to IMG after leaving to start her own agency.
Osaka, however, responded thoughtfully, explaining that their perspectives simply reflect different personal experiences and emphasizing the positive relationship she has maintained with IMG over the years.
A Closer Look at Naomi Osaka’s Management Journey From Evolve Back to IMG
The conversation around Osaka’s management move gained attention earlier this season when the four-time Grand Slam champion confirmed that she had officially reunited with IMG Tennis, the tennis division of WME. Osaka had famously stepped away from the agency in 2022 to launch Evolve, a boutique sports and talent agency that she co-founded with longtime agent Stuart Duguid.
The initiative was widely interpreted as an effort to rethink athlete representation, with Osaka aiming to create a platform that allowed elite athletes greater control over their brands, business ventures, and long-term careers beyond competition. That chapter quietly ended in December 2025 when reports surfaced that Osaka’s management agreement with Evolve would expire by the end of the year.
Duguid continued operating the agency while Osaka opted to reunite with IMG, where Max Eisenbud now oversees her representation. Eisenbud, the WME Sports head of client representation and a longtime power broker in tennis, previously worked with Osaka during some of the most successful stretches of her career before their split in 2021.
What Did Aryna Sabalenka Say About Osaka’s Decision To Return to IMG?
Sabalenka, who is also connected to Evolve’s roster alongside players such as Nick Kyrgios, Ons Jabeur, Anna Kalinskaya, Eva Lys, Iva Jović, and Terence Atmane, was asked about Osaka’s return to IMG following her win in Indian Wells. During the post-match press conference, she was questioned about whether facing someone who had previously been connected to the same agency created any added dynamic.
Sabalenka dismissed the idea that it affected the match but offered a playful remark about Osaka’s decision. “Not at all. I just feel sorry for her that she moved from Evolve back to IMG. I don’t think that’s a smart decision to do,” Sabalenka said.
She added with a smile that the change could work in her favor professionally. “I’m happy, I’m super happy that now all time that they were kind of like, how you say, balancing between me and the Naomi, now I got most of the time. I’m happy with that.”
Osaka was later asked about those comments and whether she felt satisfied with her decision to rejoin IMG. The former world No. 1 responded with humor before offering a measured explanation of her perspective. “Was she laughing when she said it?” Osaka asked with a smile.
She then reflected on the differences in their experiences. “Look, we’re two different people, like, for sure. I think her experiences aren’t the same as mine, and I wouldn’t have it any other way, you know. For me, I have always loved IMG. I have been treated really well there, and the people there are really kind to me.”
Osaka added that her personal relationship with the agency shaped her decision. “I would recommend to IMG to people. I guess she wouldn’t. But, yeah, I think we just have two very different experiences at two different places.”
Sabalenka advanced to her third Indian Wells quarterfinal, where she will take on either 10th seed Victoria Mboko or sixth seed Amanda Anisimova.
