Tennis legends Martina Navratilova and Lindsay Davenport criticised Naomi Osaka on Friday, saying she had failed to observe “basic etiquette” following her Australian Open flashpoint.
The Japanese star’s second-round victory over Sorana Cirstea was overshadowed by a tense exchange and icy handshake at the conclusion of the match.
Veteran Cirstea, making her 18th and final visit to Melbourne Park before retiring, took issue with Osaka shouting “come on” between her first and second serves.
During her on-court interview, two-time Australian Open champion Osaka appeared dismissive of Cirstea, but later apologised for being “disrespectful.”
“I can get what (Osaka) said after the match because it’s kind of in the heat of the moment, she was surprised by Cirstea’s reaction at the handshake,” 59-time major winner Navratilova said on the Tennis Channel.
“But you cannot be talking out loud between first and second serves of your opponent. Cirstea was ready to hit the second serve and Osaka said ‘come on’ — that’s not right. I don’t think she does it on purpose, she doesn’t realise it. You can say ‘come on’ all you want but keep it inside, do not verbalise it.”
“Osaka’s 28 years of age, she’s played tennis for a long time, it’s just something you don’t really do,” Davenport said.
“We all know Osaka doesn’t have a mean bone in her body, so I would be surprised if she continued with that behaviour. You can pump yourself by hitting your thigh (but) you can’t yell out in between serves. Basic tennis etiquette 101.”
Cirstea downplayed the incident in her post-match press conference, saying there was “no drama.”
“It was just a five-second exchange between two players that have been on tour for a long time. It stays between us,” she said.
