World No.1 Naomi Osaka parts ways with her coach

The Japanese 21-year-old, whose win in Melbourne sealed back-to-back Grand Slam titles, worked with the German for just over a year before they parted ways.

“I will no longer be working together with Sascha. I thank him for his work and wish him all the best in the future” Osaka tweets.

Bajin was named WTA coach of the year for 2018. He is a former hitting partner of Grand Slam champions Serena Williams, Victoria Azarenka and Caroline Wozniacki. Bajin thanked Osaka and said he wished her “nothing but the best. What a ride that was. Thank you for letting me be part of this” he tweeted.

Thank you Naomi ?? I wish you nothing but the best as well. What a ride that was. Thank you for letting me be part of this.

— sascha Bajin (@BigSascha) February 11, 2019

Under Bajin, Osaka rose from world number 72 at the start of 2018 to number one a little over a year later. No reason has been given for the split, which comes less than six months after he said he was in it for the long haul.