Naomi Osaka found herself at the center of an unexpected on-court drama at the Australian Open after her hard-fought victory over Sorana Cirstea, ranked world No. 41.
The match ended 6-3, 4-6, 6-2, but the post-match handshake quickly became the headline.
Osaka, expecting the usual sportsmanship, was met with a surprisingly cold response from Cirstea, leaving the Japanese-American visibly taken aback.
“What was that for?” Osaka asked, clearly perplexed by her opponent’s icy demeanor.
Cirstea’s response was blunt and direct. “For not knowing what fair play is, my friend. You’re playing for so long and you don’t know what fair play is?”
The 35-year-old then walked briskly toward the umpire, leaving Osaka to process the interaction while awaiting her on-court interview.
Osaka’s Calm Reaction
When asked about the incident during her post-match interview, Osaka stayed composed.
Brushing off the tension, she explained, “Apparently a lot of ‘come ons’ upset her, but whatever.
She’s a great player, and I think this was her last Australian Open. Sorry she was mad.”
Her shrug and lighthearted tone drew laughter from the crowd, showing her ability to keep perspective despite the awkward encounter.
Cirstea had announced her retirement for the end of 2025, making her Melbourne appearance a bittersweet one.
The last Australian Open for the former world No. 21 came with its challenges, particularly as her frustrations grew during the third set.
The Controversial “Come On”
The tension escalated at 4-2 in the deciding set, when Cirstea was at 30-30 on her service game.
A first-serve fault prompted what Cirstea believed was Osaka’s voice from across the court shouting “come on.”
Stopping play, Cirstea approached the umpire:
“Is that okay? To do ‘come on’ between points?”
The umpire clarified that as long as the server isn’t in their service motion, it’s permissible.
Cirstea acknowledged this wasn’t the first time she had concerns about Osaka’s on-court exclamations, but ultimately returned to her game.
Keeping Perspective in Press
During her press conference, Osaka maintained her unbothered stance.
“No one has ever complained before, and the umpire didn’t say I was wrong, so I thought we moved past it,” she explained.
She also acknowledged that emotions ran high, apologizing if her comments on court seemed disrespectful.
Osaka added candidly, “When I’m pumping myself up in my head, it’s purely for me. I probably overdid it the next couple of points because I don’t like being casually disrespected.
But it takes a lot out of me—I’m very tired now.”
Osaka’s Style Statement
Beyond the drama, Osaka has captured headlines with her bold fashion choices.
Her Australian Open debut featured a dramatic couture outfit by London designer Robert Wun, inspired by a jellyfish illustration that delighted her two-year-old daughter, Shai.
Paired with a veiled hat, flowing white trousers, and a twirled umbrella, her entrance was nothing short of theatrical.
She lost the hat and umbrella by her second-round match but continued her creative flair on court.
When asked if she would reveal her outfit for the upcoming match against home favourite Maddison Inglis, Osaka playfully kept fans guessing.
“I want to give them a reason to watch,” she said with a mischievous smile.
Naomi Osaka continues to combine her competitive edge with a unique flair for performance, ensuring that her time Down Under is memorable both on and off the court.
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