Naomi Osaka announces surprise split with WTA coach of the year Sascha Bajin
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Updated 11/02/2019 at 21:34 GMT
Naomi Osaka took to Twitter on Monday to announce a split with her coach Sascha Bajin.
Naomi Osaka of Japan kisses the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup following victory in her Women's Singles Final match against Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic during day 13 of the 2019 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 26, 2019 in Melbourne, Aust
Image credit: Getty Images
No further information on the decision has yet been given.
The announcement brings an abrupt end to a hugely successful partnership that lasted a little over a year.
WIth Bajin as coach, Osaka rose from number 72 to the very summit of the world rankings in a year, winning back-to-back Grand Slams at the US Open and Australian Open.
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The 34-year-old German coach spent eight years as Serena Williams' hitting partner, before spending a short stint with Caroline Wozniacki prior to his involvement with Osaka.
Speaking after her Australian Open triumph, Osaka credited her team, let by Bajin, for their part in her success, saying:
Thanks to my team, I don’t think I would have made it through this week without you. Behind every tennis player is a great team.
Bajin had suggested that he was in for the "long haul" with Osaka in an interview late last year, but no explanation has yet been given for the decision for the pair to split.
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