Naomi Osaka’s return to elite tennis reached a peak final week when she superior to the ultimate of the Canadian Open in Montreal. After an extended absence on account of psychological well being issues and maternity depart, the previous world No. 1 appeared rejuvenated, but her spectacular run resulted in a mixture of disappointment and controversy.
Osaka was defeated by 18-year-old Canadian wildcard Victoria Mboko in a hard-fought three-set remaining. Regardless of the loss, the highlight rapidly shifted from her tennis to her post-match speech, which made no point out of Mboko. The omission triggered sturdy backlash on-line, with many accusing Osaka of poor sportsmanship.
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But Rick Macci, the famend coach who helped form the early careers of Venus and Serena Williams, got here to her protection. Taking to social media, Macci urged followers and critics alike to rethink their judgments. “All people has to pump the brakes on Osaka,” he wrote. “Has anyone seen an NBA or NFL recreation after a heated fight? Some athletes say the best issues. Some don’t-because defeat continues to be recent out of the oven.”
Macci emphasised that emotional reactions instantly following high-pressure matches shouldn’t be overly scrutinized. With a long time of expertise teaching champions like Maria Sharapova and Andy Roddick, his perception into how athletes reply underneath strain provides weight to his argument.
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Amid the web criticism, Osaka addressed the state of affairs by way of her Threads account. She issued a public apology and congratulated Mboko straight, writing: “Thanks, Montreal… I additionally wish to apologize and congratulate Victoria. You performed amazingly… I noticed I did not congratulate you on the court docket.”
Osaka additionally shared that she intentionally tried to keep away from making the form of emotional speech she gave at Indian Wells in 2018. “Actually, I used to be surprised and utterly centered on not giving that very same speech… so I attempted to maintain it as quick as attainable,” she wrote.
Regardless of the controversy, Osaka’s efficiency in Montreal marked a serious milestone in her comeback journey. The event was her strongest end result since returning to the game in 2024. Her rating has climbed 24 locations, placing her again inside the highest 25.
Each Osaka and Mboko have since withdrawn from the Cincinnati Open, prone to relaxation and put together for the U.S. Open. For Osaka, the week served as a reminder of each her rising type and the emotional complexity of life within the highlight. For Mboko, it signaled the arrival of a brand new star in girls’s tennis.
