World No.1 Naomi Osaka hires Jermaine Jenkins as new coach

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World No.1 Naomi Osaka has hired American Jermaine Jenkins as her new head coach.

Osaka, who made decisions to part ways with coach Sascha Bajin earlier this month, announced on social media and her team has confirmed the hiring on Wednesday.

"Had a great dinner with the team. Also taking this moment to thank Jermaine for joining us and coming on board," she wrote on Twitter, alongside a photograph of herself with Jenkins and other members of her team.

The 34-year-old Jenkins, who was recently appointed as the United States Tennis Association (USTA) women's national coach, served as a hitting partner to Venus Williams from 2015 until the end of last season. His younger brother Jarmere is currently Serena Williams' hitting partner.

Jenkins will join a team that includes fitness trainer Abdul Sallah, physio Kristy Stahr, and Osaka's father Leonard Francois.

The reigning Australian Open champion split with Serbian coach Sascha Bajin after winning the title in Melbourne last month. However, the 21-year-old lost her first match since becoming world No.1 when she was knocked out by Kristina Mladenovic at Dubai Tennis Championships.

"After this tournament, I want to start looking at people," Osaka said last week in Dubai. "It's not really ideal to go to Indian Wells without a coach."

Osaka's next station will be the BNP Paribas Open starting on March 6, 2019.