<p>Naomi Osaka said she is excited to have her father back as coach after splitting with Wim Fissette as the four-times Grand Slam champion returns from an Achilles injury that ruled her out of the grasscourt season.</p>.<p>The Silicon Valley Classic, where Osaka will play Zheng Qinwen in the first round, is her first event after ending a three-year partnership with Belgian Fissette, who guided her to wins in the 2020 US Open and the Australian Open the following season.</p>.<p>Osaka, 24, said they parted on good terms and all she needed was some fresh energy.</p>.<p><b>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/tennis/djokovic-says-preparing-to-play-us-open-despite-vaccination-ban-1131635.html" target="_blank">Djokovic says 'preparing' to play US Open despite vaccination ban</a></b></p>.<p>"It was really good times with Wim and he's a really amazing coach," she told reporters. "He's a very ambitious guy. I was getting injured and I'm sure he would have wanted to go to Wimbledon.</p>.<p>"So it was two different mindsets, I would say. But he's a really cool guy still."</p>.<p>Osaka's father, Leonard Francois, previously served as her primary coach until the 2018 season.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/tennis/carlos-alcaraz-becomes-youngest-atp-top-5-player-since-rafael-nadal-1129896.html" target="_blank">Carlos Alcaraz becomes youngest ATP top 5 player since Rafael Nadal</a></strong></p>.<p>"I wanted to bring my dad back because he always makes me think outside the box," added the former world number one.</p>.<p>"Whenever I think something is really bad he always makes me realise that things are much more positive than they seem. When I get stressed out he starts dancing or something to make me feel better."</p>.<p>Injuries and poor form have seen Osaka slip to 41 in the world rankings, with the 2021 triumph at Melbourne Park her last title on Tour.</p>
<p>Naomi Osaka said she is excited to have her father back as coach after splitting with Wim Fissette as the four-times Grand Slam champion returns from an Achilles injury that ruled her out of the grasscourt season.</p>.<p>The Silicon Valley Classic, where Osaka will play Zheng Qinwen in the first round, is her first event after ending a three-year partnership with Belgian Fissette, who guided her to wins in the 2020 US Open and the Australian Open the following season.</p>.<p>Osaka, 24, said they parted on good terms and all she needed was some fresh energy.</p>.<p><b>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/tennis/djokovic-says-preparing-to-play-us-open-despite-vaccination-ban-1131635.html" target="_blank">Djokovic says 'preparing' to play US Open despite vaccination ban</a></b></p>.<p>"It was really good times with Wim and he's a really amazing coach," she told reporters. "He's a very ambitious guy. I was getting injured and I'm sure he would have wanted to go to Wimbledon.</p>.<p>"So it was two different mindsets, I would say. But he's a really cool guy still."</p>.<p>Osaka's father, Leonard Francois, previously served as her primary coach until the 2018 season.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/tennis/carlos-alcaraz-becomes-youngest-atp-top-5-player-since-rafael-nadal-1129896.html" target="_blank">Carlos Alcaraz becomes youngest ATP top 5 player since Rafael Nadal</a></strong></p>.<p>"I wanted to bring my dad back because he always makes me think outside the box," added the former world number one.</p>.<p>"Whenever I think something is really bad he always makes me realise that things are much more positive than they seem. When I get stressed out he starts dancing or something to make me feel better."</p>.<p>Injuries and poor form have seen Osaka slip to 41 in the world rankings, with the 2021 triumph at Melbourne Park her last title on Tour.</p>