Tennis

Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka of Japan has withdrawn from next week's Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo due to a lingering back injury. The former world number one has been sidelined since retiring from her last-16 match at the China Open against eventual champion Coco Gauff earlier this month.Osaka's withdrawal from the Pan Pacific Open marks the latest setback in her injury-plagued season. She has struggled for consistency since returning to tennis in January after the birth of her daughter Shai in July 2023. Her best results since becoming a parent have been two quarter-final appearances.The 27-year-old was set to compete at the Pan Pacific Open as a wild card, but organizers confirmed her absence due to a lower back injury. Osaka's appearance at the China Open was her first tournament under Patrick Mouratoglou, the Frenchman best known for being the long-time former coach of Serena Williams.China's Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen, ranked number seven in the world, is now the top-ranked player at the Pan Pacific Open. Russia's Daria Kasatkina and Brazil's Beatriz Haddad Maia are also set to compete.Osaka's withdrawal is a blow to the tournament organizers, who were hoping to attract a strong field for the first edition of the Pan Pacific Open since 2019. The tournament was canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.Despite her recent struggles, Osaka remains one of the most popular and marketable players in tennis. She has won four Grand Slam titles, including the US Open twice, and has been ranked number one in the world. Her off-court ventures, including her own clothing line and skincare brand, have also made her a global icon.

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.

Holger Rune and Patrick Mouratoglou's tumultuous player-coach relationship has hit another roadblock, with the pair mutually agreeing to part ways once again. The announcement comes just four months after they resumed their partnership, which had previously yielded significant success for Rune.Rune, the 21-year-old Danish star, took to social media to confirm the split, stating that he and Mouratoglou had "mutually decided to part ways" after "good talks." He emphasized that Mouratoglou would remain a "great friend," but that the current setup with his fellow Dane, Kenneth Carlsen, was the best for his development.Rune's relationship with Mouratoglou and his academy dates back to his teenage years. They first worked together one-on-one from October 2022 to April 2023, during which time Rune ascended the rankings and claimed his maiden ATP Masters 1000 title at Paris-Bercy. However, their first partnership ended abruptly, with Rune's mother and manager citing "ego clashes" as a contributing factor.In February, after brief stints with Boris Becker and Severin Luthi, Rune rehired Mouratoglou, expressing confidence in their shared "high goals." However, the reunion has proven short-lived, with Rune's ranking slipping to No. 17 in the world, his lowest since before his Paris-Bercy breakthrough.The news of the split coincides with a challenging health period for Rune, who was forced to withdraw from the Paris Olympics due to a lingering bone bruise in his wrist. He was expected to compete in singles and mixed doubles alongside Caroline Wozniacki, but his Olympic debut was cut short.Rune remains optimistic about his future, stating that he is "looking forward to being healthy and back on track again." He will continue to train at the Mouratoglou Academy, which has been a valuable resource for his development.

Wimbledon 2024: Holger Rune and Boris Becker Trade Barbs Ahead of TournamentThe 2024 Wimbledon Championships are set to begin, and the drama is already heating up off the court. Former world No. 1 Boris Becker, who briefly coached Holger Rune in 2023-2024, has raised questions about the Dane's current coaching situation.Becker tweeted his confusion over whether Rune and his current coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, were still working together, claiming not to have seen them together in the lead-up to Wimbledon. Rune, seeded No. 15 at SW19, responded swiftly, calling out Becker for making his inquiry public."Super strange you don't ask me this question directly as we text together about other stuff," Rune tweeted. "The answer to your question is yes we work together. Sharing the tournaments between us as planned."The exchange highlights the complex dynamics between players and coaches in the high-stakes world of professional tennis. Rune, a rising star who reached the French Open quarterfinals in 2023, is seeking to make a deep run at Wimbledon. A potential fourth-round clash with Novak Djokovic looms large, but Rune must first overcome first-round opponent Soon-woo Kwon.Kwon, a former world No. 52, has a 2-0 head-to-head record against Rune, including a four-set victory at the 2022 Australian Open. Rune will need to be at his best to overcome the South Korean and advance in the tournament.The Becker-Rune exchange adds an extra layer of intrigue to Wimbledon 2024. As the tournament unfolds, it will be fascinating to see how the relationship between the two men evolves and whether it has any impact on Rune's performance on the court.

Patrick Mouratoglou, the renowned tennis coach, has opened up about his journey from being a shy and introverted individual to becoming a prominent figure in the sport. In an interview with Nick Kyrgios on the podcast "Good Trouble," Mouratoglou shared his experiences of being bullied and struggling with social anxiety.Determined to overcome his challenges, Mouratoglou sought therapy and worked diligently on improving his communication skills. He credits this transformation to his decision to change and his willingness to seek help.Mouratoglou's coaching career has been marked by both triumphs and controversies. He spent a decade as Serena Williams' coach, guiding her to 11 Grand Slam titles. However, their partnership was marred by the infamous 2018 US Open final incident, where Mouratoglou was accused of giving Williams illegal coaching advice.Despite the negative publicity, Mouratoglou believes the incident had a positive impact on tennis. He argues that the drama surrounding the incident drew attention to the sport and ultimately led to changes in the coaching rules.Mouratoglou also discussed his unconventional approach to coaching, which often goes against traditional tennis wisdom. He emphasizes the importance of seeing players with a "kind eye" and understanding their individual needs.For Kyrgios, Mouratoglou believes the key to unlocking his full potential lies in overcoming his internal battles. He advises Kyrgios to focus on the positive aspects of his game and to not let negative thoughts or criticism overshadow his abilities.Mouratoglou concluded the interview by declaring Novak Djokovic as the GOAT and urging people to not let critiques or bad thoughts win the day. He emphasized the importance of balancing criticism with the support of those who love and believe in you.