After reaching the third round of the 2025 US Open, Naomi Osaka opened up about her evolving relationship with new coach Tomasz Wiktorowski. What started as intimidation has transformed into something unexpectedly warm, and the difference might be exactly what Osaka needs for her comeback campaign.
The former World No. 1 parted ways with coach Patrick Mouratoglou in July 2025 and began working with Wiktorowski at the 2025 Canadian Open. Before coaching Osaka, Wiktorowski worked with Iga Świątek from 2021 to 2024.
During his time with the Pole, she achieved the World No. 1 ranking and won four Grand Slam titles, including three consecutive French Opens, among many other accolades. In addition to Osaka and Świątek, Wiktorowski has also coached Agnieszka Radwańska and Olga Danilović.
What Did Naomi Osaka Reveal About Working With Tomasz Wiktorowski?
At the 2025 US Open, Osaka entered as the 23rd seed and has shown impressive form through her opening matches. She started her campaign by defeating Greet Minnen in the first round with a score of 6-3, 6-4. Most recently, she eliminated Hailey Baptiste in the second round, winning 6-3, 6-1. This victory was her third against the American on the WTA Tour, improving her head-to-head record to three wins and no losses.
I love a locked in Naomi Osaka https://t.co/XSSVYLumE9 pic.twitter.com/AJDsvgFlIq
— Tanya (@ScriptedTanya) August 28, 2025
During her post-match press conference following her win over Baptiste, Osaka was asked about her experience working with Wiktorowski. The four-time Grand Slam champion shared an amusing anecdote that revealed how first impressions can be deceiving, especially when it comes to building trust with a new coach.
Osaka recalled that she initially thought Wiktorowski looked “scary” because of his tall stature and serious demeanor. However, her impression has completely shifted since they began working together. She noted that he smiles often and has a very “friendly” smile, showing a warmth that wasn’t immediately apparent.
“I can give you something that’s not tennis-related about him. When I didn’t know him, I thought he was very scary because he is very tall and he didn’t smile. But now that we’re working together, I see that he smiles often. He has a very friendly smile, and it’s very nice. And that’s my little fun fact about Tomasz,” Osaka said.
Beyond her singles success, Osaka also ventured into mixed doubles at the US Open alongside Gaël Monfils. They received a wildcard entry but fell in the first round to Caty McNally and Lorenzo Musetti, with a score of 5-3, 4-2.
Who Will Challenge Osaka in the Third Round?
Following her commanding win over Baptiste in the second round of the 2025 US Open, Osaka is set to face 15th seed Daria Kasatkina in the third round. This matchup promises to be a significant test for both players as they push deeper into the tournament.
Before arriving in New York, Kasatkina participated in two hard-court tournaments that served as preparation for the US Open. At the 2025 Canadian Open, she won her opening match against Anna Blinkova but lost to Marta Kostyuk in the second round. Her momentum was further tested in Cincinnati, where the former World No. 8 was eliminated by Lucia Bronzetti in the second round.
At the 2025 US Open, Kasatkina has shown resilience in her path to the third round. She started her campaign with a win over Elena-Gabriela Ruse in the first round, securing the match with a scoreline of 7-5, 6-1. She then advanced to face Osaka by defeating Kamilla Rakhimova in a hard-fought second-round battle, winning with a scoreline of 6-2, 4-6, 7-5.
What an arm wrestle! 💪
Daria Kasatkina sets up a third-round clash with Naomi Osaka after her 6-2 4-6 7-5 victory over Rakihimova at the @usopen#GoAussies pic.twitter.com/AHhvsrAPzu
— TennisAustralia (@TennisAustralia) August 29, 2025
History favors Osaka in this upcoming encounter. The two players have met twice on the WTA Tour, with the former World No. 1 winning both encounters. Their most recent match took place in the third round of the 2024 Italian Open, where Osaka triumphed with a score of 6-3, 6-3.
The winner of the upcoming third-round match between Osaka and Kasatkina will advance to face either third seed Coco Gauff or 28th seed Magdalena Fręch in the fourth round, setting up what could be another compelling chapter in Osaka’s return to form.
