(Video) Naomi Osaka’s Lack of Intent in Canadian Open Final Gets Called out by Fans – “She Mentally Checked Out”

Naomi Osaka also faced criticism for not congratulating Victoria Mboko after her Canadian Open defeat.

(Video) Naomi Osaka’s Lack of Intent in Canadian Open Final Gets Called out by Fans – “She Mentally Checked Out”

Naomi Osaka showed no intent to return the ball during a rally against Victoria Mboko (Image via X/The Tennis Letter, J Roca)

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Victoria Mboko left her idol, Naomi Osaka, disappointed by denying her victory in the final of the Canadian Open. On Thursday (August 7), Mboko came from a set down to win her career’s first title with a 2-6, 6-4, 6-1 scoreline.

She also played her career’s first tour-level final. For Osaka, it was the second final of the season; and before Montreal, an injury forced her to give a walkover to Clara Tauson in the ASB Classic earlier this season.

The last title Osaka won was the 2021 Australian Open. Since then, she has so far made it to three finals. Osaka also played her first final in a WTA 1000 tournament since the 2022 Miami Open.

During the match, when Osaka failed to capitalize on the first set lead and was on the verge of defeat, emotions, it seems, got the better of her. In the seventh match of the final set, the Japanese ace couldn’t hold her serve.

During an intense rally, the 18-year-old forced Osaka to come forward, but the latter was successful in returning by hitting a volley. Mboko displayed her incredible athleticism just in time to return it, but Osaka stood motionless, showing no intent to play the ball, as she simply turned away while the crowd cheered more for the teen sensation.

Here’s the video:

Fans claim Naomi Osaka didn’t give her best in the final against Victoria Mboko

Did Naomi Osaka think the ball had bounced twice in that aforementioned rally? Even if that was the case, some fans on social media think the four-time Grand Slam champion, at this stage of her career, gives up easily.

Naomi Osaka Canadian Oen 2025
Naomi Osaka (image via National Bank Open)

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Mboko is only the third Canadian woman in the Open Era to capture this title after Faye Urban and Bianca Andreescu (who beat Serena Williams in 2019). She is also the third wild card after Maria Sharapova and Andreescu to win a WTA 1000 tournament.

The Canadian Open was Mboko’s third WTA 1000 event of her career after this year’s Miami Open and the Italian Open. Also this year, she made her Grand Slam qualifying debut at the French Open, where her run ended in the third round. At Wimbledon, then, she reached the second round.

These performances only helped her rankings. She started the season as the 333rd-ranked player and now, she stands at the 24th spot.

Naomi Osaka forgot to congratulate Victoria Mboko

Another conduct of Osaka in the final drew criticism. During the trophy presentation, Osaka quickly thanked everyone but forgot to congratulate Mboko.

Victoria Mboko (2)
Victoria Mboko (Image via X/Team Canada)

Yeah, I mean, definitely. I think it’s kind of funny. This morning I was very grateful. I don’t know why my emotions flipped 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 the court. Yeah, I mean, she did really amazing.

En route to the victory, Mboko beat four Grand Slam champions: Sofia Kenin in the second round, Coco Gauff in the fourth round, Elena Rybakina in the semifinal, and Osaka in the final. This made her the youngest woman to achieve this feat after Serena Williams in 1999.

Osaka is now the World No.2 5. She and Mboko will be seeded at the US Open, where the former lifted the title twice (in 2018 and 2020).

Before heading to New York, Osaka will continue her hunt for the first title of the season at the Cincinnati Masters. Mboko, at first, was uncertain about her participation, but she confirmed in the press conference that she will not be playing.

Also read: Carlos Alcaraz Sends Huge Warning to the Rest of the Tour Regarding his Rivalry with Jannik Sinner