"I forgot" - Naomi Osaka reveals reason behind not congratulating Victoria Mboko on Canadian Open win

Naomi Osaka has issued a clarification about failing to mention Victoria Mboko during her speech after losing the 2025 National Bank Open final. Osaka's snub has stirred controversy, with several journalists and fans accusing her of lacking sportsmanship.

Following Mboko's 2-6, 6-4, 6-1 win over Osaka on Center Court of Montreal's IGA Stadium on Thursday, August 7, the Japanese said in her speech:

"I don’t really want to 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 is worth noting that Mboko herself spoke up about her admiration for the Japanese while delivering her winner's speech.

Later, at a press conference, Naomi Osaka said she forgot to congratulate Victoria Mboko, and went on to laud the teenager.

"I think it's kind of funny. This morning I was very grateful. I don't know why my emotions flipped so quickly, but I'm really happy to have played the final. I think Victoria played really well. I completely forgot to congratulate her on the court. Yeah, I mean, she did really amazing," Osaka said.

"It could have went better, but that's just me being picky" - Naomi Osaka on Canadian Open 2025 run under Iga Swiatek's ex-coach's tutelage

Naomi Osaka (left) and Tomasz Wiktorowski (right) during a practice session at the 2025 National Bank Open in Montreal (Source: Getty)

In the same press conference, Naomi Osaka was asked about her collaboration with Iga Swiatek's ex-coach, Tomasz Wiktorowski, at the 2025 National Bank Open in Montreal. Wiktorowski, who spearheaded Swiatek's charge to five of her six Major titles, began coaching Osaka on a trial basis in Montreal. It is yet to be confirmed if he will become the Japanese's new full-time coach.

"Yeah, obviously this tournament went really well (working with Wiktorowski). It could have went better, but that's just me being picky. I think it was a really good first tournament, and I hope that we can continue," Osaka said.

Osaka parted ways with iconic French coach Patrick Mouratoglou prior to kickstarting her Montreal campaign, on the back of a largely disappointing 10-month partnership. Up next for the Japanese is the Cincinnati Open, the last big event in the buildup to this year's US Open.