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The world number 1 tennis player, Naomi Osaka, is separated from coach Sascha Bajin 17 days after winning two consecutive Grand Slam victories at the Australian Open. "Hi everyone, I will not work with Sascha anymore. I thank him for his work and wish him the best for the future, "tweeted the 21-year-old Japanese in a surprise announcement. Bajin, a former striker partner of Serena Williams, replied, "Thank you Naomi. I wish you nothing more than the best. What a ride it was. Thank you for agreeing to participate. Osaka, who became the first Asian to lead after defeating Czech Petra Kvitova in the Melbourne final on Jan. 26, had been working with the German for a little over a year.
No reason was given for the surprise decision to separate, but the Japanese media cited the Osaka management company, IMG, that the player's relationship with the coach had been broken since the beginning of the year. According to Japan's Nikkan Sports, some training sessions with Bajin at the Australian Open lasted only 10 minutes and she sometimes hit without her presence. Osaka, scheduled to compete in Dubai next week, has begun looking for potential replacements by the end of last year, local media reports said. The Japanese player won her first Grand Slam crown by beating Williams at last year's US Open in a final that is remembered for the astonishing madness of the American against the chair referee at the following a coach offense. Based in the United States, Osaka joined Bajin in late 2017 and had a decisive year, rising from 72 in the world to the top of the women's rankings.
Incredulity: During this period, she won the prestigious Indian Wells tournament before landing her first major tournament in New York, while Bajin was named WTA coach of the year. Osaka's Twitter feed is illuminated in response to his announcement, with several memes expressing his widespread disbelief, including a shrugging Barack Obama, a confused Joey of the American sitcom "Friends" and a Minions character screaming "WHAAAAT?" Osaka, who grew up in the United States. and spoke little to the Japanese, hearts melted when she fought her tears after her moving victory at the US Open against her idol Williams as the boos sounded around the stadium.
She won more fans with an overwhelming 7-6, 5-7, 6-4 win over Kvitova in the final of the Australian Open, after which Osaka cried with joy as the jokes were replaced by cheers. Former Billie Jean King, Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert praised the new love of women's tennis. "Winning consecutive Grand Slam tournaments is a rare and special achievement, and I'm delighted that these results have propelled Naomi to the top of the women's game," said Evert, the world's first WTA number one. "Her exciting tennis brand, coupled with the dignity that she displays on and off the field, is a winning combination that tennis fans really appreciate."
Posted in Daily Times, February 13th 2019.
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