Serena Williams' ex-coach rallies behind Naomi Osaka after hate brigade over post-match speech at Canadian Open

2021 Australian Open: Day 11 - Source: Getty
Serena Williams' ex-coach rallies behind Naomi Osaka after hate brigade over post-match speech at Canadian Open - Source: Getty

Controversy erupted after Naomi Osaka didn't congratulate 18-year-old Canadian sensation Victoria Mboko for winning the final of the National Bank Open against the four-time Grand Slam champion. Osaka was disappointed after losing the final 6-2, 4-6, 1-6.

Ad

In her post-match comments, Osaka seemed to be in a rush as she only congratulated her team, the fans, the ball boys, the organizers, and the volunteers. She received heavy backlash from the tennis world for failing to recognize Mboko, who said she idolized watching Osaka growing up.

Amid the growing backlash, Serena Williams' former tennis coach Rick Macci has come to Naomi Osaka's support while taking a swipe at her detractors for saying the four-time Grand Slam champion was a spoilsport and couldn't take her defeat to an 18-year-old in stride. Macci compared the situation to that in the NBA or NFL, where the reaction is much worse after losing.

Ad
"Everybody has to pump the brakes on Osaka a female athlete and her speech," Mcci wrote on X. "Has anybody seen an NBA or NFL game after a heated combat? Some athletes give the broiler plate response and say all the right things. Some say whatever because the thoughts and dots are not connected yet as defeat is still fresh out of the oven. @naomiosaka."
Ad
Ad

Rick Macci is a renowned American tennis coach. He has worked with several notable tennis figures, including Venus Williams, Serena Williams, Andy Roddick, Maria Sharapova and Jennifer Capriati, all of whom ascended to world No. 1 status during or following his coaching.


Naomi Osaka finally apologizes for failing to congratulate Victoria Mboko

On Friday, Naomi Osaka took to Threads and issued an apology to Victoria Mboko two days after losing the final at the Canadian Open. Osaka also explained her situation on what happened during the post-match speech, as she didn't want to repeat similar things she had said in the past, referencing a past tournament as well. She wrote:

Ad
"Thanks, Montreal, it’s been a really great run. I also want to say sorry and congratulations to Victoria. You played a great match and have an amazing career ahead! I realize I didn’t congratulate you on the court.
"Honestly, I was in a daze and I was so focused on not having the same speech as IW 2018 finals or the Jenny/Jennifer situation that I tried to make my speech as short as possible. Thanks everyone for the week, see you in NY."
Ad

The four-time Grand Slam champion has also withdrawn from her participation in the Cincinnati Open as she now looks forward to the upcoming US Open later this month.

Who is Naomi Osaka's boyfriend? All you need to know about the tennis star's dating history timeline

Quick Links

Edited by Tushhita Barua
Sportskeeda logo
Close menu
WWE
WWE
NBA
NBA
NFL
NFL
MMA
MMA
Tennis
Tennis
NHL
NHL
Golf
Golf
MLB
MLB
Soccer
Soccer
F1
F1
WNBA
WNBA
down arrow icon
More
bell-icon Manage notifications