8-8-2025
Tennis fans have criticised four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka for not congratulating Victoria Mboko who beat her to win the Canadian Open Thursday night in Montreal. It was her first career title on the WTA Tour.
Mboko,18, became the youngest player after Serena Willians to eliminate four Grand Slam champions in one event. Her victims include Osaka, 2022 Wimbledon winner Elena Rybakina, 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin and two-time major winner Coco Gauff. Serena Williams achieved the feat on her way to a historic 1999 US Open title.
After the final she lost 2-6, 6-4, 6-1, Osaka in her speech failed to pay homage to their new kid on the women tennis block.
“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 fighting back tears. She was hoping to win her first major title in four years.
Tennis fans online reacted quickly.
“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.”
However, Osaka later on Friday made up for her slip up.
“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.”
Mboko was happy with her exploit she revealed that Osaka was her idol. She entered the tournament as the 333rd ranked player and 85th wild card.
“I also to thank Naomi for an incredible match. I’ve always looked up to her when I was really little, so it’s always great to play with such an amazing player like you,” Mboko said in her winner’s speech.