Every week, countless stories and news emerge in the tennis world that don’t always make headlines but are too intriguing to overlook. These can be on-court or off-court developments that go under the radar due to bigger storylines from the past week. This week, we had many interesting stories and news, all of which are featured in this edition.
Tennis News Weekly Roundup
Patrick Mouratoglou Reflects on Split with Naomi Osaka
Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka and Patrick Mouratoglou parted ways in late July 2025, capping a 10-month coaching partnership that began in September 2024. The split, announced by Osaka on social media, came shortly after losing to Emma Raducanu at the Citi DC Open. In a recent interview with CNN Sports, Mouratoglou revealed the reasons behind their separation.
Mouratoglou explained that while Osaka was physically ready and showed flashes of her championship form, her competitive edge was not at its peak. “The thing that was missing was the competitiveness. I think she’s a great competitor, but at that time she was not as good a competitor as I think she can be and she has been in the past. And this is the thing that we didn’t solve,” he told CNN. He emphasised the high-pressure nature of elite coaching, noting, “Time is important, and you have to solve the problems fast. I wish we could have more time to solve it. But we didn’t, that’s life, and I have no regrets about that.”
Despite the separation, Mouratoglou remains confident in Osaka’s future. He said that when they parted, he told her, “I think you’re ready. If you find the person who will help you get back your efficiency during the matches, I think you’re ready to do great results right now, and I hope it’s going to happen very soon.” Osaka’s performance at the Canadian Open in Montreal, where she reached the finals and played her best tennis in a long time, seems to validate his belief.
Rafael Nadal and his Wife welcome their second Son
Tennis legend Rafael Nadal and his wife, Maria Francisca “Mery” Perelló, welcomed their second child, a boy named Miquel, on August 7, 2025, at Quirónsalud Palmaplanas Hospital in Palma, Mallorca. This was a significant moment for the couple, who have been married since October 2019. Miquel is named after Mery’s late father, who passed away in 2023, and joins Rafael Jr., the couple’s first son, born in October 2022. Mery reportedly healed quickly, allowing the family to leave the hospital on August 9, 2025.
Nadal has kept a low profile since retiring, focusing on his family and the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca. The birth of Miquel marks another milestone in his personal life, following a year of reflection after ending his competitive career in 2024.
WTA Reinstates Stefano Vukov
The WTA has lifted Elena Ryabkina’s coach Stefano Vukov’s suspension after a successful appeal by him before Wimbledon 2025. Vukov was banned in January 2025 for a potential breach of the WTA’s code of conduct, following allegations of verbal abuse and mistreatment toward Rybakina. The suspension, initially set for a year, prevented him from accessing tournament facilities. This was WTA’s statement to The Athletic:
“While case details remain confidential, we can confirm that Mr. Vukov is eligible to receive credentials at WTA events. We will not be commenting further.”
Rybakina, who has continuously defended Vukov and denied any mistreatment, has resumed working with him alongside coach Davide Sanguinetti. Vukov was seen in Rybakina’s box at the Cincinnati Open on August 9, 2025, shortly after the ban was lifted.
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
