When Nick Kyrgios competes on the ATP Tour, he does so without a coach, although that may not be the case for long.
During the early stages of his career, Kyrgios worked with several big names in Australian tennis, including Todd Larkham, Simon Rea, and Lleyton Hewitt.
However, between 2015 and 2017, Kyrgios worked without a coach until he brought in former world number four Sebastian Grosjean for the remainder of the year.
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Since then, Kyrgios has competed on the ATP Tour without a full-time coach, claiming he’s ‘too set in his ways’ and that he ‘doesn’t like to listen to advice’.
It had seemed unlikely that Kyrgios would ever employ a coach again until he made a deal to hire one of the biggest names in coaching, on the condition that his current client wins Wimbledon in 2025.
Nick Kyrgios makes deal to hire Patrick Mouratoglou as his coach if Naomi Osaka wins Wimbledon
During an episode of Wimbledon Unfiltered with Nick Kyrgios, the Aussie was asked why he had never worked with coaching legend Patrick Mouratoglou, who joined him in the studio.
“I wouldn’t want to put him through that chaos, it’s too inconsistent,” said Kyrgios.
Mouratoglou shared his thoughts on Kyrgios, discussing the challenges that coaches face.
“I think he is the most incredible player to coach, because he can do anything with the ball, the possibilities are unlimited,” he said.
“He’s very difficult to coach, and he knows it. But that makes it very challenging and great.
“I like him, which is very important. You have to like the person already, otherwise it’s difficult, but it’s not enough. You need to connect with the person, and the person needs to want also to connect with you, and then you can go through challenges together.
“There are always challenges, always surprises. Our job as tennis coaches is to solve problems. There are always problems to solve; the more problems you solve, the more your player progresses.”
After hearing Mouratoglou talk, Kyrgios made the Frenchman an interesting deal.
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“I’ll make a deal, if you and Naomi [Osaka] win Wimbledon, I’ll hire you as my coach,” he said.
“Really?” asked Mouratoglou as the pair shook hands on the deal.
Mouratoglou joined Osaka’s team at the end of the 2024 season and guided her to the third round of January’s Australian Open before she lost in the first round of the French Open.
The 55-year-old is best known for his time with Serena Williams, as the pair won ten Grand Slam titles together.
Kyrgios and Osaka have grown close over recent years, and the former was seen in her box during the Japanese star’s first-round win at Wimbledon.
During her post-match press conference, Osaka was ’embarrassed’ when she found out Kyrgios was in attendance.
“Oh he was there? I didn’t hear nothing. Okay,” she said.
“That’s a little embarrassing that he was there. But yeah, I guess it was cool that he was there.
“I am glad he came to my match. I hope in some way, maybe he felt.. I wouldn’t be bold enough to say ‘inspired,’ but I hope he can relate a little bit to the things I do, too.”
The pair will also compete together at the US Open later this year, in the revamped mixed doubles tournament.
Only time will tell if both players will work with Mouratoglou at Flushing Meadows, as Kyrgios waits to see if Osaka can win her first Wimbledon title in 2025.
Does Naomi Osaka have a chance to win Wimbledon in 2025?
Kyrgios has a deal with Mouratoglou to hire him as his coach if Osaka wins Wimbledon, but how likely is that to happen?
In all honesty? Not that likely… The 27-year-old has yet to reach the fourth round at the All England Club and won just one of her three warm-up matches on grass this year.
- 2024 Wimbledon – Naomi Osaka lost in 2R to Emma Navarro
- 2019 Wimbledon – Naomi Osaka lost in 1R to Yulia Putintseva
- 2018 Wimbledon – Naomi Osaka lost in 3R to Angelique Kerber
- 2017 Wimbledon – Naomi Osaka lost in 3R to Venus Williams
Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images
Winning just 56% of her matches at Wimbledon, Osaka’s title hopes look slim, although it would be reckless to count out the four-time Grand Slam champion.
Osaka looked strong in her opening match at SW19, defeating Australia’s Tara Gibson in straight sets 6-4, 7-6.
She’ll look to match her career-best Wimbledon performance by reaching the third round once more when she takes on Katerina Siniakova in round two on Wednesday, July 2.