Naomi Osaka has been criticised following a runners-up speech at the Canadian Open final.
The four-time Grand Slam winner cut an emotional figure during her remarks but in her on-court post-match interview failed to congratulate Victoria Mboko.
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Naomi Osaka was criticised for her runners-up speechCredit: GETTY
18-year-old Mboko produced a superb display in Montreal to claim the biggest title of her career, stunning four Grand Slam champions on hher way to the first title of her career on the WTA Tour.
After losing the first 6-2, Mboko dug deep and held her nerve to claim the next two sets and win the Canadian Open title in front of a delighted home crowd.
As is customary with trophy presentations, the runner-up is invited to share a few words before the winner is handed their trophy.
A clearly emotional Osaka, who appeared to be holding back tears as she missed the chance of a first senior title in more than four years kept her speech extremely short.
“I don’t really wanna take up too much time. I’ll just say thank you to everyone. Thank you to my team, the ball kids, organizers, & volunteers. I hope you guys had a good night,” Osaka said.
Tennis fans online reacted quickly, with criticism of Osaka pretty intense after she omitted Mboko.
“It’s tough to lose and it’s emotional but surprised by Naomi Osaka’s on-court interview… not a word on her opponent who won the biggest title of her career and on home soil,” one fan said.
Another wrote: “That was such poor form by Osaka not congratulating Mboko.”
“I understand she’s very upset, but not even acknowledging Mboko in her speech?” another questioned
“Shameful,” another added.
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Mboko picked up the biggest title of her career in front of her home crowdCredit: GETTY
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Osaka struggled at points during the matchCredit: GETTYNaomi Osaka rectifies Victoria Mboko mistake
It didn’t take long for Osaka to realise her mistake.
After the Japanese star did not hold a press conference, she provided written quotes to journalists, which included some words for Mboko.
“This morning, I was very grateful,” she said.
“I don’t know why my emotions slipped so quickly, but I’m really happy to have played the final.
“I think Victoria played really well. I completely forgot to congratulate her on court. Yeah, she did really amazing.”
Before the match, Osaka also had some touching word for Mboko after learning the teenage star described her as an idol.
One of the greatest scandals in tennis history!
“I always said that I’d love to play someone that looked up to me, so it’s happening way sooner than I thought it would,” she said.
“I don’t think that’s ever happened. That’s really cute. I just have to have a good attitude – I can’t let her not like me anymore! I’m really honoured.”
Mboko’s historic Canadian Open win
Words from Osaka or not, nothing will detract from just how special this first title will be for Mboko.
After beating four-time grand slam champion Osaka, two-time major winner Coco Gauff, 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina, and 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin, Mboko’s fairytale run was completed the hard way.
Those wins also meant she became just the third teen in the open era to eliminate four major champions at a WTA event.
And the youngest since Serena Williams did the same en-route to the 1999 US Open title.
The Mboko effect was also felt 330 miles west in Toronto, where the men’s final was being played after the crowd there erupted when they found out their compatriot had just won in Montreal.
“I guess the Canadian player won in Montreal,” chair umpire Fergus Murphy explained to the confused finalists. Ben Shelton and Karen Khachanov.
Mboko, whose parents fled war in Congo to deliver a better life for their children, has confirmed she will skip the Cincinnati Open to rest a wrist injury.
She is expected to return in time for the US Open where she is likely to be seeded in a Grand Slam for the first time in her career having jumped 61 places in the world rankings after her Montreal title.
AloJapan.com