(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Naomi Osaka Responds to Controversy After Montreal Final Loss to Victoria Mboko
Tennis star Naomi Osaka has addressed the criticism following her post-match comments after losing the Montreal WTA 1000 final to rising Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko. The four-time Grand Slam champion faced backlash online for not congratulating her opponent during the trophy ceremony.
A Surprising End to the Final
Osaka, who started strong by winning the first set 6-2, eventually lost the match 2-6, 6-4, 6-1 to 18-year-old Mboko. During the post-match speech, Osaka kept her remarks brief and didn’t mention the homegrown talent who had just claimed the biggest win of her career.
“Thanks, I guess. I don’t really want to take up too much time. I’ll just say thank you to everyone. Thank you to my team, the ball kids, organizers, and volunteers. I hope you guys had a good night,” Osaka said at the ceremony.
Social Media Reacts
Fans and pundits on social media quickly criticized Osaka’s speech as “disrespectful” and lacking sportsmanship. Some called it “not classy”, pointing out that acknowledging the winner is a common courtesy in professional tennis.
Osaka Clarifies: “I Completely Forgot”
Later, during the delayed post-match press conference, Osaka clarified that it was an honest mistake. She admitted to forgetting to mention Mboko and praised her performance:
“I think it’s kind of funny. This morning I was very grateful. I don’t know why my emotions flipped so quickly, but I’m really happy to have played the final,” Osaka shared.
“I think Victoria played really well. I completely forgot to congratulate her on the court. Yeah, I mean, she did really amazing, so…”
A Tough Season for Osaka
While Osaka did secure a title earlier this year at the WTA 125 tournament in Saint-Malo, she is still seeking a win at the main tour level since her 2021 Australian Open triumph. She also endured a tough moment earlier this season, retiring due to injury while leading in the Auckland final.
Mboko’s Breakthrough Moment
For Victoria Mboko, this victory represents a major milestone in her young career. Defeating a player of Osaka’s caliber on home soil marks her arrival on the world stage and showcases the depth of emerging talent in women’s tennis.
