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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 U.S. Open and the Australian Open the following season.
Osaka, 24, said they parted on good terms and all she needed was
some fresh energy.
"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.
"So it was two different mindsets, I would say. But he's a
really cool guy still."
Osaka's father, Leonard Francois, previously served as her
primary coach until the 2018 season.
"I wanted to bring my dad back because he always makes me think
outside the box," added the former world number one.
"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."
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.
(Reporting by Dhruv Munjal in New Delhi; Editing by Muralikumar
Anantharaman)
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