Australian Open champ's defiant move in $2.8 million legal drama

Naomi Osaka’s lawyers have reportedly moved to have a former coach’s $2.8 million (AU) lawsuit dismissed.

Christophe Jean, who helped the Japanese two-time grand slam champion when she was a junior, wants at least US$2 million of the $10 million of her earnings to date.

Jean insists Osaka’s father, Leonard Francois, had signed a contract when he was coaching the 21-year-old and her sister Mari in 2011.

According to Tennis.com, Osaka’s attorneys have rejected the claims, with court filings arguing the agreement was invalid because the Osaka sisters were under 18.

The filings also claim there were flaws in the wording of the contract, and that it didn’t represent a binding financial agreement.

Last month Osaka told AFP she was “not allowed to say anything” about the lawsuit, although sources close to the Japanese star stressed they are not fearful of the outcome and believe the matter will be resolved shortly.

When asked about the difficulty of dealing with the trappings of fame and becoming the world’s top player, however, Osaka admitted she is still learning.

“I am still relatively new at this so I can’t really say yet,” she said.

“But maybe as more time goes on I will be able to get a better grasp of the situation,” she added.

Taking its toll?

The World No.1 has suffered a worrying form dip amid the legal dramas.

She collapsed after winning the first set in third round at the Miami Open recently, as tour veteran Hsieh Su-Wei won 4-6 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 to reach the fourth round.

It equalled the earliest exit by a top-seeded woman at the Florida tournament.

She also suffered a first-round defeat in Dubai in February, and won just two matches at Indian Wells before being knocked out in the round of 32.

She then reiterated her struggles to cope with being on top of the world.

“I feel like I’ve dealt with the stress of people asking me do I have pressure because I have the No.1 next to my name,” Osaka said.

“I thought I was doing fine with that, but I guess I’m not.”

with agencies