Naomi Osaka’s return to elite tennis reached a peak last week when she advanced to the final of the Canadian Open in Montreal. After a long absence due to mental health concerns and maternity leave, the former world No. 1 appeared rejuvenated, yet her impressive run ended in a mix of disappointment and controversy.
Osaka was defeated by 18-year-old Canadian wildcard Victoria Mboko in a hard-fought three-set final. Despite the loss, the spotlight quickly shifted from her tennis to her post-match speech, which made no mention of Mboko. The omission triggered strong backlash online, with many accusing Osaka of poor sportsmanship.
Yet Rick Macci, the renowned coach who helped shape the early careers of Venus and Serena Williams, came to her defense. Taking to social media, Macci urged fans and critics alike to reconsider their judgments. “Everybody has to pump the brakes on Osaka,” he wrote. “Has anybody seen an NBA or NFL game after a heated combat? Some athletes say the right things. Some don’t-because defeat is still fresh out of the oven.”
Macci emphasized that emotional reactions immediately following high-pressure matches should not be overly scrutinized. With decades of experience coaching champions like Maria Sharapova and Andy Roddick, his insight into how athletes respond under pressure adds weight to his argument.
A comeback marked by growth and grace
Amid the online criticism, Osaka addressed the situation through her Threads account. She issued a public apology and congratulated Mboko directly, writing: “Thank you, Montreal… I also want to apologize and congratulate Victoria. You played amazingly… I realized I didn’t congratulate you on the court.”
Osaka also shared that she deliberately tried to avoid making the kind of emotional speech she gave at Indian Wells in 2018. “Honestly, I was stunned and completely focused on not giving that same speech… so I tried to keep it as short as possible,” she wrote.
Despite the controversy, Osaka’s performance in Montreal marked a major milestone in her comeback journey. The tournament was her strongest result since returning to the sport in 2024. Her ranking has climbed 24 places, putting her back inside the top 25.
Both Osaka and Mboko have since withdrawn from the Cincinnati Open, likely to rest and prepare for the U.S. Open. For Osaka, the week served as a reminder of both her growing form and the emotional complexity of life in the spotlight. For Mboko, it signaled the arrival of a new star in women’s tennis.
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