This tennis off-season has been one of the wildest in recent memory, spearheaded by Carlos Alcaraz’s and Juan Carlos Ferrero’s dissolution of their professional relationship.
In fact, most of the most surprising pieces of news have surrounded splits, with Grigor Dimitrov another who has chosen to move on from his long-time coach.
However, one such example that almost fits into this category involves Naomi Osaka.
She has made the bold decision to leave not her coach, but her agency. Ironically, one she co-founded.
Naomi Osaka’s strange decision questioned
Speaking on the latest iteration of The Tennis Podcast, the trio continued their theme of talking about recent splits by referencing Osaka’s.
And whilst hers was not coaching, like Alcaraz and Dimitrov, it still drew an equally shocked reaction.
What could stop Naomi Osaka from winning a Grand Slam title in 2026?
Credit: Sofascore
Catherine Whitaker noted: “This was a pretty surprising one, certainly for me. Naomi Osaka is leaving the agency that she co-founded with Stuart Duguid, the agency is Evolve.
“If you’re thinking, where have I heard that name recently? They are behind the promoters of the Battle of the Sexes. They also represent numerous tennis players, formerly Naomi Osaka, of course, Aryna Sabalenka, Nick Kyrgios.
“It was, I repeat, co-founded by Naomi Osaka. This was her agency alongside Stuart Duguid. They left IMG to form this agency. It’s being reported by Ben that she’s returning to IMG.
We don’t know why, Matt, but leaving your own agency feels pretty dramatic to me.”
This led Matt Roberts to add: “Yeah, very, I would say.
Do you think women should play best-of-five set matches?
“You know, again, trying to draw cause and effects, like, you know, this is a time where that agency has obviously been in the spotlight more than it ever has been.
“It’s sort of garnered attention at the start of the year when they got Sabalenka, as you said, but right now, around the Battle of the Sexes and the controversy that that has provoked, you know, the timing of this decision by Osaka doesn’t feel sort of totally unrelated, certainly from the outside.
“It might be totally unrelated to the Battle of the Sexes. I don’t know. It’s just… the timing of it feels a little… You know, coincidental.”
What did Naomi Osaka say about leaving her agency?
Osaka’s statement regarding this subject was a short one, as she briefly dropped her bombshell and then moved on.
The Japanese tennis star wrote: “Hi everyone, writing this to say starting in the new year I’ll be parting ways with Evolve. It’s been a great run and I’m so grateful for all the memories shared.
“When I make my decision on where I’ll go next, you’ll hear it from me. Thank you for supporting me always and I’m so excited for the year ahead!”
It will be interesting to see how the 28-year-old proceeds from here, with some even arguing that Osaka could win another Grand Slam in 2026 after her work over the last 12 months.
