Naomi Osaka has tackled the controversy that broke out after her loss in the final of the All Banquian National in Montreal, where she did not congratulate the 18-year-old Victoria is a bag During her speech on the field.
The four-fold Grand SLAM champion seemed visibly discouraged after Mboko organized an impressive comeback to beat her 2-6 6-4 6-1 for a home crowd. Osaka briefly kept her comments and avoided any mention of the milestone victory of the Canadian teenager.
Naomi Osaka is very proud of this week. It was a good run to the final and unfortunately it ended with a loss. But many positives.
It was really not nice that she did not congratulate Victoria Mboko in her speech.#Wta🎾 #Montreal🏆 pic.twitter.com/vsvah1266a
– Sean (@seantafirenyika) August 8, 2025
“Thank you, I think. I don’t really want to take too much time,” She said during the trophy ceremony. “I will just thank everyone. Thanks to my team, the Balkinderen, organizers and all volunteers. I hope you had a good night.”
A clip of the short speech of Osaka quickly spread over social media and made widespread criticism. Many fans and commentators labeled her reaction as incorrect, unprofessional, even classy and rude. Yet some defended the former world no. 1 and acknowledged that the moment was emotionally challenging and that her disappointment was understandable.
After skipping the press conference, Naomi Osaka provided quotes to the media, in a Q&A style layout. No answer from civil servants about whom the questions asked her. But one thing that immediately stands out …
Osaka: “I have forgotten to congratulate [Mboko] On the field. ” pic.twitter.com/rrcdlz69n
– Harry North (@hsnorth_) August 8, 2025
Although Osaka initially refused to hold a traditional press conference, she later gave comments to the media in a Q&A style layout, which immediately approached the controversy surrounding her omission. Disadvantageous about the loss and her state of mind at that time, she said:
“I think it’s a bit funny. This morning I was very grateful. I don’t know why my emotions were turned around so quickly, but I’m really happy that I played the final,” she said. “I think Victoria played very well. I completely forgot to congratulate her on the field. Yes, I mean, she really did it great, so …”
Although Osaka eventually praised Mboko, the damage was already caused in the eyes of many fans, who expected a graceful moment from one of the biggest names of the sport.
NBO champion Vicky Mboko on Osaka Skipping Post-Match Conference:
“I still think Naomi is an incredible player and it never changes what I think of her …“I still look at her … I mean to play against her was also a special moment for me.” pic.twitter.com/brusgvih3m
– Bryann Aguilar (@Bryannaguilar) August 8, 2025
As for Victoria Mboko, there are no hard feelings. The 18-year-old Canadian, who surprised four Grand Slam champions on his way to her first WTA title and rose from No. 85 to a career-high no. 24 in the ranking, took a graceful attitude despite the uncomfortable trophy ceremony. Although after the game she did not get the chance to talk to Osaka, Mboko made it clear that the moment had not changed its admiration for the former world no. 1. “I think she’s still a very nice girl,” said Mboko. “I still look up at her.”
The defeat still marked a difficult moment in Osaka’s attempt to climb back to the top of the women’s game. Although she recorded a WTA 125 title in Saint-Malo earlier this year, she has had to win a main title since the Australian Open 2021. Her return to the WTA tour was also marred by injuries, including a pension from the Auckland final in January while he leads.
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