“I guess I have to have a really good attitude tomorrow. I can’t let her not like me anymore.” When Naomi Osaka found out in her post-game presser after her SF win that her finals opponent had always idolized her, she could only feel honored. The emotional stakes got higher with the truth coming out. Yet, as they met on Court Central today, the competitiveness reigned supreme. The heavy favorite swept the first set 2-6 over the local talent. But Mboko didn’t give up.

The Canadian showcased her recovery skills as she leveled in the second set before eventually besting the Japanese star in a decider. Mboko won her first-ever WTA 1000 title with a score line of 2-6, 6-4, 6-1 at just 18 years of age. Osaka, returning to her first ATP 1000s final after the maternity break, could not be the player she had been throughout the run with her simplification of the game. Unfortunately for everyone involved, she seemingly could not be the best at sportsmanship either.

In her post-match in-court speech, Osaka seemed dejected by her loss against Mboko. Reflecting, she only said, “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.” It was indeed nice of her to thank everyone. However, what everyone noticed was her filtered snub at the winner standing right next to her, looking at her idol for a few words of praise.

It is important to note that while the Japanese star skipped sitting in her post-match press conference, she did pass on one message: “I think Victoria played really well. I completely forgot to congratulate her on the court. Yeah, I mean, she did really amazing, so…” But for the fans, it felt too little too late. For them, she had done exactly what she did not want to do just a day ago.

Victoria Mboko started her Canadian Open campaign with over 300 ranks ahead of her. But entering the finals, having bested the likes of Coco Gauff and Elena Rybakina, she had already made a place in the top 50. With the win, she now stands at the 24th spot, having won 53 of 62 events she participated in this season. If the record was not enough, she has also inked her name in the history books.

Mboko is the first Canadian woman, after Bianca Andreescu in 2019, to lift the trophy in Montreal. Overall, she’s the third Canadian WTA player to do it in the Open Era, with Faye Urban achieving the milestone in 1969. No wonder, the spectators were cheering for the up-and-coming native talent. So, when Naomi Osaka went just for the customary speech, the tennis fans were not happy.

Fans call out Naomi Osaka for her lack of sportsmanship

Osaka is no stranger to fans calling out. Her 2018 US Open victory is the best example where her winning over her idol Serena Williams and many other reasons made it one of the most talked-about, controversial finals. Still, sportsmanship dictates giving flowers where they are due. While Osaka did do it, it didn’t come on the big stage. And that got the fans talking.

One netizen wrote, “Not gracious in defeat; very uncool.” Meanwhile, another person echoed similar sentiments while calling her “POOR LOSER…..disgusting!” The Canadian Open marked Naomi Osaka’s second crucial final appearance this season. Back in January, she made it to the summit clash of the ASB Classic. However, she couldn’t win that encounter as well, owing to an abdominal injury that forced her to withdraw.

Another fan came forward while criticizing her unpleasant gesture after losing the Canadian Open final. “It’s very disappointing a player of her caliber behaved so ungraciously.” Her not choosing to admire Mboko’s win has really stood out as the most disliked moment from the match. Remember how she had a similar reaction during this season’s Wimbledon? After the third-round loss against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, the Japanese star was left in shambles.

During the media interaction, she was hardly able to resist her emotions immediately after the heartbreaking exit. “I’m just going to be a negative human being today. I’m so sorry. I have nothing positive to say about myself. Honestly, right now I’m just really upset,” she said.

Another such instance occurred during the French Open back in May. After losing the first round against Paula Badosa, Osaka said, “I hate disappointing people. Even with (coach) Patrick, I was thinking just now, he goes from working with, like, the greatest player ever (Serena Williams) to, like, ‘What the f*** is this?’ Sorry for cursing. I hope I don’t get fined.” She recently parted ways with Mouratoglou in the last week of July.

But as for her behavior, it may be just the way she is. And her skipping the presser today only underlined that she would rather stay quiet than say something that might be used against her. But that wasn’t how spectators saw it.

“Not so nice Naomi, coming from a fan of yours… The least you could have done was to congratulate your opponent…”, wrote another person, criticizing Osaka’s snub on Mboko. Even former WTA icon Rennae Stubbs was left speechless. According to her, “the way Naomi handled it in the end, was a little 😳 . When u think about all the things she has gone thru, the big matches she’s won, that was a capitulation & the speech😳! 2 not congratulate Vicky, who’s looked up to u her whole career & just won this massive 🏆 was sad.”

People just can’t stop bringing this aspect to highlight Osaka’s mentality upon losing. “I was hoping that Osaka would have her act together and at least acknowledge her opponents win. Gracious in defeat is part of the game too.”

Maybe we will hear more from Osaka on how she forgot to mention the winner. However, it can be understandable since it was an emotionally draining moment for her too. What’s your take on Osaka’s post-match behavior toward Mboko? Let us know in the comments below.