An excellent Canadian Open campaign ended in controversy for Naomi Osaka.
The 27-year-old reached her first WTA 1000 final since the 2022 Miami Open, where she took on home favourite and teenage sensation Victoria Mboko.
The Japanese star began the match and took the first set, but Mboko became champion in Montreal after storming back to claim a 2-6, 6-4, 6-1 victory.
Osaka then failed to congratulate Mboko during the post-match presentation, for which she received plenty of backlash and has since apologised for. Now Andy Roddick has had his say on the matter.
Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty ImagesAndy Roddick would be more concerned with Naomi Osaka’s Canadian Open final performance rather than her post-match speech
Naomi Osaka was emotional during the Canadian Open final trophy presentation following a crushing defeat.
Her speech was very brief and she did not congratulate Mboko for her performance, which many fans were unhappy about. Osaka has since apologised, and now Roddick has shared his view via his ‘Served podcast’.
The American said he would be more concerned with how Osaka played in the final set of the Canadian Open, where she won just one game, rather than her comments after the match or lack thereof.
“Here is the only mistake I think from the Osaka side. It’s that in that scenario, and I gave grace last week, it’s like someone’s worst day at work ever if you put a microphone in front of them they would say some regrettable s*** or not say enough good stuff,” he said.
“It’s like that happens and apparently people are perfect in their worst moments and I disagree. But here is the thing, when presented with that opportunity, think of Anisimova at Wimbledon.
“She loses 0-0 and that is what is going to be the story is the scoreline, but you get a lot of credit for simply being a little gracious.
“That is the thing. If I’m in Osaka’s team I am not mad at you for saying what you said, or you didn’t say, I would be more concerned with how it got away in the third set.
“And also next time we are in that situation it takes very little to get a lot of good will and credit in that scenario.”
Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty ImagesWhen will Naomi Osaka play again?
Following Osaka’s defeat in Montreal, she was due to compete at the ongoing Cincinnati Open.
But she withdrew from the WTA 1000 event and it appears that Osaka will not play again until the US Open.
The former world number one has said the New York-based Grand Slam is her favourite tournament and she has won it on two occasions.
Osaka first lifted the US Open title in 2018, when she defeated Serena Williams and prevented her from tying Margaret Court on 24 majors.
In 2020, Osaka came from a set down to beat Victoria Azarenka to claim her second title. Five years later and with some form under her belt, she will aim to take the title again.
AloJapan.com