Naomi Osaka sued by ex-coach who wants 20% of future earnings

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Two-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka is at the center of a coaching storm again ahead of WTA Miami Open. This time it's not her Serbian coach Sascha Bajin, but Christophe Jean, an ex-coach who worked with Osaka when she was 13.

Jean is suing the World No.1 and her family for an unpaid contract deal and wants 20 percent of her earnings.

According to a report from TMZ, Jean says he signed a contract with Osaka's father, Leonard Francois, who claimed to promise Jean 20% of Naomi's career earnings in the future. And now, he is coming back to collect what he should get.

Francois moved to South Florida with his family in 2006 in hopes the move would benefit his two daughters, Naomi and Mari. However, he had some financial problems and couldn't afford to pay his rates at that time, according to Jean.

Therefore, they reached an agreement on the money with 20% of Naomi and Mari's tennis prize and endorsement deals belong to Jean forever. "I have a copy of the contract where Francois agrees that the term of the deal is 'indefinite'," says Jean.

Osaka has lawyered up with Alex Spiro, an attorney to the stars, and claims Jean's words are completely "absurd".

"While it comes as no surprise that Naomi's meteoric rise as an international icon and inspiration would lead to some false claims, this silly "contract" that Naomi never saw or signed is particularly absurd," Spiro says. "This case has no merit and we will move past it."

Naomi Osaka beat idol Serena Williams to win her first Grand Slam last September at the 2018 U.S. Open and then lifted her second trophy at Australian Open. The 21-year-old becomes the first tennis player from Japan to reach WTA No.1 in the rankings.

However, she announced the split with former coach Sascha Bajin after winning the title in Melbourne. American Jermaine Jenkins was then hired as her new head coach

According to the official WTA website, Naomi has made more than 10.8 million U.S. dollars during her career, and that's not including endorsement money. Considering on Jean's speaking, he is now seeking at least two million U.S. dollars in compensation.

As Maimi Open starts on Tuesday and Mari, sister to Naomi, who has played in a WTA doubles main draw with her sister at the 2017 Toray Pan Pacific Open, will play her first WTA main draw singles match at the upcoming tournament among the wildcards.