Naomi Osaka has come under a lot of scrutiny following her actions after the Canadian Open final.
Osaka failed to congratulate Victoria Mboko after losing the Canadian Open final to the 18-year-old.
There has been a huge reaction to this, including Sam Querrey going in on Osaka for her behaviour.
Osaka has since made an apology, but she has now been told that this could have a lasting impact on her career.
Jon Wertheim explains why he thinks Naomi Osaka’s speech could be damaging for her career
Osaka achieved something for the first time since 2021 at the Canadian Open this year, where she showed some resurgent form with new coach Tomasz Wiktorowski in her team.
While tennis journalist Jon Wertheim believes that Osaka should be given some grace, he does think that opponents will now sense a weakness if she reaches another final.
“Neurochemistry is a strong force and Naomi did some nice damage control the next day, we are all good,” Wertheim said on the Served with Andy Roddick podcast. “I don’t think anyone thinks of her as a mean spirited person, it was just an oversight, let her live.
“But here is my one issue, which I don’t think has been talked about enough. This is actually really bad in terms of servicing her tennis.
“Other players have this built in sonar for other players’ weaknesses and if I know my opponent can be so rattled in the final of a tournament, that she can lose her train of thought, and be that absent-minded after a loss. I wonder if I am not internalising that in the locker room.
“Give her some grace and some slack, but I just think this is bad in terms of her tennis and it’s the thing other players might remember and think if I just keep this match tight she can be rattled so much that she plays a sloppy hour of tennis and then can’t even remember to thank her opponent when she is done.”
When did Naomi Osaka last win a title on the main WTA Tour?
Osaka has won a lower-level WTA 125 title this year, but her loss in the Canadian Open final extends her drought of not winning titles on the main tour.
The last time Osaka won a title was at the Australian Open in 2021, with her title before that also coming at a Grand Slam at the 2020 US Open.
Osaka’s last title on the main WTA Tour actually came six years ago, when she beat the now-retired Ash Barty in the final of the China Open.
| Year | Tournament | Result |
| 2019 | China Open | Osaka beat Ash Barty, 3-6 6-3 6-2 |
| 2020 | Cincinnati Open | Victoria Azarenka won the title after Osaka gave a walkover |
| 2020 | US Open | Osaka beat Victoria Azarenka, 1-6 6-3 6-3 |
| 2021 | Australian Open | Osaka beat Jennifer Brady, 6-4 6-3 |
| 2022 | Miami Open | Iga Swiatek beat Swiatek, 6-4 6-0 |
| 2025 | Auckland Open | Clara Tauson beat Osaka, 4-6 (Osaka retired) |
| 2025 | Canadian Open | Victoria Mboko beat Osaka, 2-6 6-4 6-1 |
The former world number one has twice been a set away from winning a title this year, but Osaka was forced to retire in the Auckland final against Clara Tauson.
Osaka’s next opportunity to win a title will be at the US Open, where she is a two-time former champion and will be seeded this year.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
