Real Reason I Dumped My Coach — Osaka

By Daily Sports on February 19, 2019

World number one Naomi Osaka was adamant that her shock split with coach Sascha Bajin had nothing to do with money but it was because she was determined that her career would not be about putting “success over happiness”.

The German had guided the Japanese player to back-to-back Grand Slam titles as well as to the summit of the WTA rankings. But just two weeks after her triumph at Melbourne Park, Osaka abruptly severed ties with Bajin. That led to suggestions the two had fallen out over money.

“Everyone thinks it was a money-related issue, but it wasn’t,” the U.S. and Australian Open champion told the WTA in Dubai. “That’s one of the most hurtful things I’ve ever heard.

“I travel with everyone on my team, I see them more than my family. I would never do that to them.

“My reason is I wouldn’t put success over my happiness – that’s my main thing. I’m not going to sacrifice that just to keep a person around.”

Bajin, a former hitting partner of Serena Williams, Victoria Azarenka and Caroline Wozniacki, was named as the WTA’s coach of the year in 2018 after his success with Osaka.

During their time together, Osaka rocketed from 72 in the world at the start of 2018 to number one last month.

Osaka said it was clear things were not right between them during the season’s opening major.

“It was kind of brewing in Australia. I think some people could see that if they saw how we interacted,” the 21-year-old added.

“I would not want to split on really bad terms. I’m not going to say anything bad about him because, of course, I’m really grateful for all the things he’s done.

“During the Australian Open, I was just trying to tell myself to get through it. I’m not sure, but I think you guys noticed.”

Osaka said she hopes to have a new coach in place by March at Indian Wells.

“It’s not really ideal to go to Indian Wells without a coach. I don’t want someone that’s in the box saying negative stuff. That would be the worst,” she said.

“(I want) someone that’s kind of direct, not afraid to say things to my face. I’d rather someone say it directly to me than go around my back. That’s one of the biggest things.” (NAN)

•Photo shows Sascha Bajin and Naomi Osaka

Source Daily Sports

Posted February 19, 2019


 

You may also like...
Aiteo Cup Victory: Divine intervention, Enugu Rangers and...

Inter Milan have Chelsea playmaker Cesc Frabegas on...

Atletico Edge Real To La Liga Title

Lukaku double fires United to victory

Female football coach sacked over sex claims wins...

3 talented Nigerians secure club deals after successful...

 

Latest News De Laurentiis desperate to sign Lookman Delap markes debut with an assist as Chelsea win at the Club World Cup Fans found guilty of hate crimes against Vinicius Jr Son decision set to be delayed until after Spurs' Asia tour Ronaldo loan move to Al-Hilal 'counter-intuitive' NOC Commences Construction Of Its Permanent Secretariat In Abuja Dilapidated Awka Township Stadium is begging for rehabilitation to boost the vision Gala confident of sealing record Osimhen transfer Man City's Cherki wants Man Utd revenge Delap a 'future England number nine' - Maresca Paris St-Germain cruise past 10-man Atletico Madrid in Club World Cup encounter Hamilton 'devastated' after running over groundhog

 

Most Read Rangers International going, going . . . (55,527 views) Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (46,686 views) Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (44,702 views) Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (44,298 views) Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (44,293 views) Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (44,288 views) Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (44,084 views) NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (43,631 views) Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (42,743 views) Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (41,365 views) Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (39,804 views) John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (39,230 views)

 

Phone numbers

Tel: +234(0)8066020976
+234(0)8055068145
+234(0)7013416146
+234(0)8094272884

Email addresses

info@dailysportsng.com
support@dailysportsng.com
publisher@dailysportsng.com

Office address

No 3, Adetoun Close, Off College Road, Ogba, Ikeja Lagos.
Website: www.dailysportsng.com

Social Media