World No. 1 Naomi Osaka announces shock split with coach

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Naomi Osaka has split from her coach Sascha Bajin just two weeks after the 21-year-old won the Australian Open after first Grand Slam at the U.S. Open last year, the Japanese player announced Monday.

"Hey everyone, I will no longer be working together with Sascha. I thank him for his work and wish him all the best in the future," Osaka said.

The 33-year-old German coach also commented on Twitter, "Thank you Naomi. I wish you nothing but the best as well. What a ride that was. Thank you for letting me be part of this."

Screenshot from Twitter

No reason has been given for the successful pair's split, which comes less than six months after he said he was in it for the long haul.

Based in the United States, Osaka linked up with Bajin in late 2017 and enjoyed a breakthrough year, leaping from 72 in the world to No.1 in the past 12 months, becoming the first Asian to hold the top ranking.

While for Bajin, who was the former hitting partner of Grand Slam champions Serena Williams, Victoria Azarenka and Caroline Wozniacki, was named WTA coach of the year in 2018.

Osaka's next scheduled event is a Premier 5 event in Dubai, which begins next week.

Source(s): AFP