‘Act like an adult': Former tennis star rips Naomi Osaka

News.com.au

4 days ago

Two former American tennis stars have obliterated Naomi Osaka over her runner-up speech earlier this month that went viral around the world.
The 27-year-old Japanese superstar lost the final of the WTA Canadian Open to local teenager Victoria Mboko, who capped off her fairytale run by securing the 2-6 6-4 6-1 victory.
While the 18-year-old Mboko celebrated the stunning moment, Osaka was scolded over a couple of incidents by those watching her on-court behaviour.
In the third set, with the score at 1-5 and Osaka serving to stay in the contest up 40-15, Mboko pulled off a miracle winner when the American had already switched off and given up on the point (see below).
Described as a 'horrific lack of effort', Osaka then made things worse with her post-match speech when she failed to congratulate Mboko, who grew up idolising the four-time grand slam champion and former world No. 1.
A clearly emotional Osaka, who has been open about her mental health issues during her career, started off by petulantly saying 'thanks, I guess' as the crowd cheered before she gave a 35-word speech.
'I don't really wanna take up too much time,' she said. 'I'll just say thank you to everyone.
'Thank you to my team, the ball kids, organisers and volunteers. I hope you guys had a good night.'
Osaka was blasted among tennis circles for a perceived lack of class and retired American tennis players Sam Querrey and Steve Johnson discussed her behaviour on their Nothing Major podcast this week.
The duo started off by praising Mboko and calling her a grand slam champion in waiting.
Querrey, a former world No. 11 and Wimbledon semi-finalist, then brought up the post-match scenes.
'Did you watch the speeches in the end?' he asked.
Johnson replied: 'There was a lot to be desired.'
Querrey then continued: 'Can Osaka not just act like an adult for five minutes?
'Just give a nice speech, fake it for a minute and then move on to the locker room.
'It drives me nuts.'
Johnson, who reached No. 21 in the world rankings and is an Olympic doubles bronze medallist, agreed.
'It drives me nuts,' he fired back. 'Look, as athletes, you take the good with the bad. You can't just take praise when you are playing well.
'I get it's a tough moment, we saw (Aryna) Sabalenka do the same, and we have seen it on the men's side too.'
Johnson went on to discuss the criticism Sabalenka faced for her conduct after losing this year's French Open final to Coco Gauff, when the world No. 1 effectively blamed her own errors – rather than the American's play – for the defeat.
'At least give an honest answer, thank your opponent,' he said. 'Do these things and move on. I know it's hard to do, but as an athlete, that's your job.'
Querrey, who won 10 career titles and beat Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray during his big-serving career, then referenced Osaka's enormous earning power.
At one stage in her career Osaka was the highest earning woman in professional sport, regularly making over US$30 million ($46 million) per year in prize money and endorsements.
'You're also getting, like she's going to make $30 million, you've got to fake it for a minute and give a half-decent speech, congratulate your opponent,' he continued before praising her recent return to some form.
'But having said that, great week for Osaka.
'She hasn't been playing great, there's been little signs here and there but to make a final, it puts her back in the mix.
'She can go to the US Open now and make a run to the semis, finals, maybe win it.'
Johnson added if Osaka had just managed to make the standard type of speech in defeat, no one would be talking about it.
'She had a great week,' he said. 'I've never lost a Masters Series final, but I've lost other finals, it's hard.
'But you've gotta just fake it for 10 minutes, get to the locker room, whatever.
'It's definitely just tricky in that moment. Sometimes you've just gotta swallow a little bit of pride after a loss like that and just tough it out, say congratulations and move on.
'And then no one's talking about it.'
There was a mixed reaction to the conversation between the two former stars on social media.
One wrote: 'I agree with the Osaka take, left a lot to be desired. Especially since Mboko looks up to her.'
A second said: 'Osaka was in a daze. She had an entire stadium against her. She's human and we all respond differently to these things. She also congratulated Mboko later once she heard she didn't do it. It was not intentional.'
A third added: 'Naomi Osaka seems unhappy a lot of the time lately. If I were a friend or relative I'd suggest she has a complete break from tennis. She's young, healthy, rich beyond most people's wildest dreams, has had a stunning career already and now has a great opportunity to find something new that makes her happy.'