Naomi Osaka starts working with Serena Williams’ former coach after initial hesitancy

CNN —

Naomi Osaka has never hidden her admiration for Serena Williams and now she’s following in the 23-time grand slam champion’s footsteps.

Osaka has started working with Williams’ former coach Patrick Mouratoglou and the Japanese star got the new partnership off to the perfect start at the China Open on Wednesday, winning her first-round match against Italy’s Lucia Bronzetti in straight sets.

Mouratoglou is no stranger to working with champion-level talent, having previously guided Williams to 10 major titles and a career golden slam – all four grand slam titles and an Olympic gold medal.

He has also worked with men’s tennis stars such as Stefanos Tsitsipas and Holger Rune.

And while Osaka is excited about a new chapter in her career, the four-time grand slam champion says she was initially hesitant to start working with the well-known coach.

“The fact that he was Serena’s coach made me want to avoid him just because his persona is so big,” she told reporters, per Reuters.

“This isn’t rude because I found out it’s not true, but I didn’t know if he was a good coach or he coached Serena.

“Then I met him, talked to him, worked with him on the court. He absolutely is a really good coach. I’m really glad that he’s taking this project on, as well.”

“I would say I’m still a little nervous around him. I look to the floor when he looks at me. I think I do need a lot more time to spend together with him. I’m getting a little more comfortable day by day.”

Patrick Mouratoglou talks to Osaka before her first-round match at the China Open.

Osaka returned to competitive tennis at the start of this year after maternity leave and now ranks 73rd in the world.

And while the season has been peppered with high-points – a victory