Naomi Osaka releases statement after criticism over what she did following Canadian Open final defeat

Naomi Osaka has released a statement after receiving criticism on social media following her Canadian Open final defeat to Victoria Mboko.

Mboko, 18, produced a superb display in Montreal to win 2-6, 6-4, 6-1 and secure her maiden WTA Tour singles title.

And the home crowd were left even more jubilant as the world number 24, who was born in the United States, has lived in Ontario, Canada since she was two months old.

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Her run to the final saw her defeat world number one Coco Gauff in the fourth round, and world number nine Elena Rybakina in a third-set tiebreak in the semi-final.

Speaking after the match, Mboko revealed that Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam singles champion, was one of her idols growing up.

"I've always looked up to her since I was really little," she said. "So it's always great to play with such an amazing player like you."

In her runners-up interview, a clearly emotional Osaka kept her answer short and thanked the crowd, her team, the organisers and volunteers in Montreal.

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But fans noticed that she did not congratulate Mboko on the court.

One wrote: "That was such poor form by Osaka not congratulating Mboko."

A second added: "It's tough to lose and it's emotional but surprised by Naomi Osaka's on-court interview... not a word on her opponent who won the biggest title of her career and on home soil."

And a third questioned: "I understand she's very upset, but not even acknowledging Mboko in her speech?"

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In 2021, Osaka pulled out of her mandatory media assignments during that year's French Open, citing the mental health impact of press conferences.

She was fined $15,000 and subsequently pulled out of the tournament altogether. She took an indefinite break from tennis after the US Open later that year, missing Wimbledon, and returned to tennis at the beginning of 2022.

Osaka releases statement on Mboko snub

Osaka also did not hold a longer press conference after the match, but did provide a series of written quotes to journalists.

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"This morning, I was very grateful," she began. "I don't know why my emotions slipped 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 court. Yeah, she did really amazing."

Mboko was asked about Osaka in her own press conference, and replied: "If that was her wishes [not to attend the press conference], then I respect it as well.

Victoria Mboko and Naomi Osaka pictured after the 2025 Canadian Open final (Image: Getty)

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"I mean, I still think Naomi is an incredible player, and it doesn't ever change what I think of her. I still think she's a really nice girl - I still look up to her. To play against her was also a really special moment for me."

Prior to the final, Osaka gave a longer answer about the Canadian star naming her as her idol, explaining: "I always said that I'd love to play someone that looked up to me, so it's happening way sooner than I thought it would.

"I don't think that's ever happened. That's really cute. I just have to have a good attitude - I can't let her not like me anymore! I'm really honoured."

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