Martina Navratilova has launched a pretty astonishing attack on Naomi Osaka after her Australian Open exit.
The 18-time Grand Slam winner was speaking on The Tennis Channel.
So, what has the Czech-born tennis icon said about Osaka? Let’s take a closer look…
What Navratilova said after Naomi Osaka defeat
In fairness, the 26-year-old came up against a tough opponent in French player Caroline Garcia and was beaten in straight sets.
Osaka was beaten 6-4, 7-6 by the player who has previously been a top-five player in the women’s game.
The Japanese player was returning to a Grand Slam after giving birth to her first child back in July and she was short of match practice.
Navratilova launched a pretty scathing attack on Osaka after the match, claiming that she simply wasn’t ready.
She told The Tennis Channel: “Tennis wise I’d give her maybe a B+ but overall a C because she couldn’t get to the ball that she wants to hit because she’s not in shape.
“I’m surprised that she played this tournament without clearly being in the top shape that she needs to be in. She was stretched out way too much and the fact that she didn’t have one break point tells you everything that you need to know.”
Osaka will bounce back with more matches
Heading into the Australian Open, Osaka had managed just two matches at the Brisbane International and she did look short of match practice.
The fact that she never had a single break point was perhaps telling but Garcia did play extremely well.
Osaka probably deserves a bit more respect and understanding from Navratilova given that she’s been away from the game to have a child.
The 5ft 11in player has won four slams already in her career, with two of those coming at the Australian Open in 2019 and 2021.
Osaka will bounce back and perhaps she saw entering the competition as a chance to not only get some match practice in but also get the juices flowing ahead of here comeback year.
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