Naomi Osaka sparked controversy by revealing her feelings toward coach Patrick Mouratoglou, who pushed her to make a “difficult” decision before her defeat at ROLAND-GARROS, and Patrick Mouratoglou’s reaction made Naomi Osaka regret her confession.

Naomi Osaka reveals her mixed emotions after the difficult decision prompted by Patrick Mouratoglou ahead of Roland Garros 2025

Naomi Osaka recently shared her mixed feelings about a difficult decision her coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, encouraged her to make: to compete in the L’Open 35 de Saint-Malo tournament, a WTA 125 event, just before the 2025 French Open.

At first, Osaka was hesitant due to her pride and her perceptions of competing in a lower-level clay-court tournament. She acknowledged that choosing to play in this event represented a real challenge for her. However, the decision proved to be invaluable when she was crowned champion after defeating Kaja Juvan 6-1, 7-5, earning her first title since 2021.

This victory allowed her to regain confidence after her disappointing exit at the Madrid Open, and also set her up for a solid campaign at Roland Garros, where she will face Paula Badosa.

Patrick Mouratoglou told Naomi to trust herself and play without fear to know whether she could win or not. These words motivated Osaka to adopt a more confident attitude and overcome the fears that held her back.

This episode reflects the importance of a coach’s support and guidance in the careers of elite athletes, and how a seemingly difficult decision can become the impetus needed to regain competitiveness and bravely face major challenges.