World No 1 Naomi Osaka says 'happiness' was the reason behind shock split with coach Sascha Bajin

Talking about the split with Sascha Bajin, Naomi Osaka said: “Everyone thinks it was a money-related issue, but it wasn’t. That’s one of the most hurtful things I’ve ever heard… I think my reason is I wouldn’t put success over my happiness — that’s my main thing.” Naomi Osaka said she would not prioritise “success over happiness” following the surprise sacking of her coach as she heads into the Dubai Championships as top seed for the first time. “I think my reason is I wouldn’t put success over my happiness — that’s my main thing.” Osaka is trying to take the high road in the affair, concentrating on her tennis as she heads a Dubai field with last month’s Australian Open finalist Petra Kvitova seeded second and former top-ranked Simona Halep third. “I’m not going to say anything bad about him, I’m really grateful for all the things that he’s done.” Osaka drew a line under the uncomfortable topic by adding: “If anything, you would have to see or ask him.” The introverted 21-year-old, who has turned the tennis hierarchy on its head since standing 72nd little more than a year ago before her breakthrough under Bajin’s guidance, said there were rumblings of discontent in the arrangement during the Melbourne fortnight.