Margaret Court Arena had already seen its fair share of drama, but this match added a layer nobody quite expected.
Naomi Osaka booked her place in the next round of the Australian Open with a gritty three-set win over Sorana Cirstea — 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 — yet the tennis itself quickly became secondary to an awkward and emotionally charged finish at the net.
What should have been a routine post-match handshake turned frosty, catching both the crowd and Osaka off guard.
An Icy Handshake Sparks a Heated Exchange
As Osaka approached the net following the hard-fought battle, she was met with a clipped and unmistakably cold handshake from Cirstea.
The reaction visibly surprised the four-time Grand Slam champion, who immediately questioned the Romanian about the moment.
“What was that for?” Osaka asked.
Cirstea didn’t hesitate with her response, accusing Osaka of lacking fair play and questioning how someone with her experience could behave that way.
With that, the 35-year-old walked off toward the umpire’s chair, leaving Osaka standing at the net, trying to make sense of what had just happened.
Osaka’s Blunt Response Leaves Fans Gasping
Moments later, Osaka addressed the situation during her on-court interview — and she didn’t sugarcoat it.
According to Osaka, the tension stemmed from her vocal “come on” celebrations, which she said her opponent took issue with.
Shrugging dramatically, she brushed off the accusation before delivering a line that drew shocked laughter from the stands.
“She’s a great player. I think this was her last Australian Open,” Osaka said, before adding, “Sorry she was mad about it.”
The comment quickly went viral, setting off debate among fans and pundits alike.
The ‘Come On’ Controversy That Changed the Mood
The flashpoint actually came earlier in the deciding set.
With Cirstea trailing 4-2 and facing a tight 30-30 moment, she faulted on her first serve.
As she reset, she believed she heard Osaka shout “come on” from the other side of the court.
Play stopped as Cirstea approached the umpire, asking whether such comments between serves were allowed.
The official confirmed that vocal reactions were permitted as long as the server wasn’t already in their service motion.
Still frustrated, Cirstea pressed the issue, questioning whether talking between serves was acceptable.
The umpire stood firm, reiterating that no rule had been broken.
‘That’s Not the First Time,’ Says Cirstea
Cirstea suggested this wasn’t the first time she’d had an issue with Osaka’s on-court celebrations, though she eventually returned to the baseline to continue play.
The exchange lingered in the air, and the emotional residue carried through to the final handshake.
Despite the tension, Cirstea later played down the incident, expressing a desire not to dwell on the disagreement as she exited the tournament.
Osaka Stays Calm — Then Reflects
Osaka maintained an unbothered tone when discussing the moment afterward, admitting she initially found the complaint surprising.
She pointed out that no one had raised the issue before, and the umpire hadn’t warned her either.
“I thought we moved past it,” she said.
Still, as emotions settled, Osaka acknowledged that some of her on-court comments may have crossed a line.
A Rare Apology From an Unapologetic Competitor
When asked whether she planned to revisit the issue with Cirstea, Osaka struck a more reflective note.
She admitted confusion over the situation but recognised that emotions were running high.
She also offered an apology for remarks made during her interview, saying she didn’t like being disrespectful and that it wasn’t who she wanted to be as a competitor.
“At the same time,” she explained, “when I’m pumping myself up, it’s purely for me.”
Why Osaka Turned Up the Volume
Osaka also revealed that she leaned even harder into her celebrations after the umpire discussion — a reaction she attributed to feeling disrespected in the moment.
“I probably overdid it,” she admitted, adding that the emotional drain left her exhausted by the end of the match.
Osaka’s Australian Open Run Has Been Anything But Quiet
The handshake drama was only the latest headline in Osaka’s Melbourne campaign.
Her tournament began with a show-stopping entrance that turned heads worldwide, featuring a couture outfit designed by London-based fashion designer Robert Wun.
The look included a butterfly-veiled hat, flowing white trousers, and a twirled umbrella — all inspired by a jellyfish.
A Look Inspired by Motherhood and Imagination
Osaka later explained that the outfit was sparked by a bedtime story she read to her two-year-old daughter, Shai.
After showing her daughter an image of a jellyfish and seeing her excitement, Osaka collaborated with Nike and reached out to Wun to bring the vision to life.
While the hat and umbrella were retired for her next match, the unique aesthetic remained a talking point.
Keeping Fans Guessing About What’s Next
After advancing to the third round, Osaka teased fans once again by refusing to reveal whether she’d switch up her look for her upcoming clash with home favourite Maddison Inglis.
With a mischievous smile, she said she wanted to give people “a reason to watch,” keeping her next move firmly under wraps.
Whether through her tennis, her fashion, or her fearless honesty, one thing is clear — Naomi Osaka is making sure this Australian Open won’t be forgotten anytime soon.
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