Tennis

Naomi Osaka's return to the China Open in Beijing after a five-year absence has sparked significant attention, not only for her on-court performance but also for the rumored addition of Patrick Mouratoglou to her coaching team.Mouratoglou, a renowned coach who previously worked with Serena Williams, has been spotted alongside Osaka in Beijing, fueling speculation that he has taken over the coaching reins from Wim Fissette. Osaka confirmed her split with Fissette last week but has remained tight-lipped about Mouratoglou's involvement.Osaka's arrival in Beijing marks her first appearance at the tournament since 2019, when she emerged victorious. The tournament was subsequently canceled for three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, returning last year while Osaka was on maternity leave.Currently ranked 76th in the world, Osaka has benefited from the withdrawals of Caroline Garcia, Marie Bouzkova, and Caroline Wozniacki, which granted her direct entry into the tournament.Defending champion Iga Swiatek will not participate in this year's event due to personal reasons, leaving the door open for Osaka to make a deep run.Osaka's partnership with Mouratoglou, if confirmed, would be a significant development in her career. Mouratoglou's expertise and experience could prove invaluable as Osaka aims to regain her former dominance on the WTA Tour.

World No. 1 Iga Swiatek has withdrawn from next week's China Open due to personal reasons, marking her second withdrawal in as many weeks. The defending champion had previously expressed concerns about the demanding WTA tour schedule, calling it "exhausting."Swiatek's withdrawal comes after she pulled out of this week's WTA 500 in Seoul, citing fatigue. She had also criticized the packed calendar, which included the Olympics this year, saying it made "tennis less fun" for players.Despite her concerns, Swiatek had previously stated that she was not planning to take an extended break. However, her recent withdrawals suggest that she may be reconsidering her stance.Swiatek's absence from the China Open is a significant blow to the tournament, which she won last year in her debut appearance. She defeated top players like Carolina Garcia and Coco Gauff en route to the title.The China Open will still feature a strong field, with eight of the WTA's Top 10 players expected to participate. Australian Open and US Open champion Aryna Sabalenka will be the top seed, while Maria Sakkari will also be absent due to a shoulder injury.Swiatek's withdrawal highlights the challenges faced by top players in balancing their schedules and maintaining their physical and mental well-being. It remains to be seen whether she will make any further adjustments to her schedule in the coming weeks.