Naomi Osaka has found her rhythm again in Montreal, and she says it’s all thanks to two key factors, namely her renewed physical confidence and the no-nonsense coaching style of Tomasz Wiktorowski. The four-time Grand Slam champion, who’s into the quarterfinals at the 2025 National Bank Open, opened up about what’s been fueling her strong run this week.
Naomi Osaka Credits Coaching Shift for Her Resurgence
Returning to Montreal for the sixth time in her career, Osaka sought new guidance after parting ways with Patrick Mouratoglou just days earlier. She’s now working on a trial basis with Wiktorowski, the well-regarded Polish coach best known for steering Iga Świątek to multiple Grand Slam titles and the World No. 1 ranking.
The coaching change followed a disappointing second-round loss at the Mubadala Citi DC Open, where Emma Raducanu ousted Osaka in straight sets.
Speaking after her fourth-round win over Anastasija Sevastova, Osaka was asked what’s clicking for her this week. “Honestly, I think for me what’s working well is I am very confident in my fitness,” she said during her post-match press conference. “I’m really comfortable just getting balls back now, and I really enjoy Tomasz. I don’t know if to say his name is ‘Thomas’ or ‘Tomasz.’ I’m so sorry.”
The 27-year-old then elaborated on why Wiktorowski’s coaching style fits her so well. “I enjoy his coaching style. He’s very direct and to the point,” Osaka said. “For someone like me, whose thoughts scatter around often, it’s very helpful.”
That directness appears to be paying off. Osaka has notched wins over Ariana Arseneault, No. 13 seed Liudmila Samsonova, No. 22 seed Jeļena Ostapenko, and Sevastova to reach her second career quarterfinal in Montreal.
A dominant win for Naomi Osaka as she books a spot in the #OBN25 quarter-finals 👏 pic.twitter.com/VSPsXyenQp
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) August 3, 2025
The Japanese tennis star will take on 10th seed Elina Svitolina in the quarterfinals. This will be their eighth meeting on the WTA Tour, with Osaka holding a slight 4-3 edge in their head-to-head record. They last met in the second round at the 2024 Miami Open, where the Japanese won in straight sets.
The winner of this match will face either sixth seed Madison Keys or 16th seed Clara Tauson in the semifinals.
