Naomi Osaka arrives in Beijing with new coach Patrick Mouratoglou in tow

Naomi Osaka's return to the China Open in Beijing for the first time in five years in newsworthy in more ways than one. The former world No. 1 arrived in China ahead of next week's WTA 1000 event with Patrick Mouratoglou, purportedly set to be her new coach, in tow.

Mouratoglou's name entered the four-time Grand Slam champion's orbit last Friday, when Canadian tennis writer Stephanie Myles reported that she had split with coach Wim Fissette (with whom she reunited with last year while training for a return to tennis following the birth of her daughter) and hired the Frenchman to be her new coach.

Hours later, Osaka confirmed the split with a post to her social media channels, but stopped short of making any confirmation about a possible Mouratogolou hiring.

While neither Mouratoglou nor Osaka have commented publicly on the presumed partnership since Myles first reported it, a picture's worth 1,000 words. Earlier this week, the China Open's official Instagram account posted photos of Osaka's arrivial in Beijing, and the Frenchman, , could be seen as a member of her entourage.

Former world No. 1 Osaka is set to play in Beijing for the first time since 2019, when she won the title. The tournament was on hiatus for three years after that, and returned last year when Osaka was on maternity leave.

Currently ranked No. 76, Osaka earned direct entry into the tournament as a result of the pre-event withdrawals by Caroline Garcia, Marie Bouzkova and Caroline Wozniacki.

Iga Swiatek is the tournament's defending champion, but will not compete at the event in 2024 after announcing her withdrawal on Friday due to "personal matters."