Naomi Osaka’s second spherical victory on the 2026 Australian Open ended with a really uncomfortable handshake together with her opponent, Sorana Cirstea.
Following Osaka’s three-set victory on Thursday, January 21, the 2 gamers met on the internet earlier than exchanging in a visibly tense dialog close to the chair umpire.
In the course of the third set, Cirstea, 35, complained to the umpire about Osaka, 28, shouting “come on!” repeatedly throughout the match, together with in between her serves.
“Is that this OK?” Cirstea requested. “To do ‘come on’ between factors?”
Osaka addressed the encounter throughout her post-match interview on Margaret Courtroom Area, when she was requested “what it took” to emerge victorious.
“Apparently quite a lot of ‘come ons’ that she was offended about, however no matter,” Osaka mentioned, which drew a big response from the gang.
Osaka continued, “I attempted to play nicely. I believe I hit quite a lot of unforced errors, however I attempted my finest. She’s a fantastic participant. I believe this was her final Australian Open, so OK, sorry she was mad about it.”
On-court interviewer Chanda Rubin mentioned, “She was complaining as a result of between the primary and second serves she may hear you simply attempting to pump your self up, is that the issue?”
“I believe so, however like, she may have requested me. Like, woman,” Osaka answered.
Sorana Cirstea, Naomi Osaka Martin KEEP / AFP by way of Getty Photos
Osaka superior to the third spherical the place she’s going to face Australian qualifier Madison Inglis.
Cirstea introduced the 2026 season can be her final in a December 2025 social media submit.
“I like tennis. I like the self-discipline, the routines, the onerous work. The competitors and the adrenaline gasoline my soul,” Cirstea wrote. “However like all the things in life, it should come to an finish.”
She added, “I by no means anticipated to compete for such a very long time, however the final couple of years have been my happiest on court docket and so they simply stored me going.”
Osaka, in the meantime, has gone viral for extra than simply the curt handshake with Cirstea at this yr’s Australian Open.
Her jellyfish-inspired outfit made waves on social media after she debuted it throughout her first spherical match in opposition to Antonia Ružić on Tuesday, January 20.
“Once I look again on the gamers who got here earlier than me, I take into consideration how these moments — these seems to be — have change into recollections that stay eternally,” Osaka advised Vogue in a narrative revealed on Tuesday.
She added, “This felt like a second the place I may write slightly little bit of my very own.”
The tennis celebrity drew inspiration for the look from studying a e-book to her daughter Shai, 2, who she shares together with her ex, rapper Cordae.
“There was a picture of a jellyfish, and once I confirmed it to her she obtained so excited,” Osaka mentioned.
Coco Gauff is sharing her facet of the story after receiving backlash for her criticism of American tennis followers. “Lol I’m going to make clear as a result of individuals are dragging this out of context. I‘m not anticipating individuals to journey to tournaments to look at us play. However there are numerous tournaments that we’ve in america and […]
Osaka advised Nike about her inspiration, who helped flip it into actuality.
“It translated fantastically into the motion and fluidity of the sheer layers on the costume and the jacket,” Osaka mentioned. “Once I noticed it throughout the becoming, I keep in mind pondering, ‘That is lovely,’ but in addition feeling just like the story wasn’t totally completed but.”
Osaka then turned to designer Robert Wun, who helped full the look.
“The beginning of one thing new,” Osaka mentioned of the outfit. “It felt symbolic of vitality, transformation, and pleasure.”
