Naomi Osaka Faces Criticism from Fans for Not Congratulating Victoria Mboko After Canadian Open Defeat – “Very Uncool”

Naomi Osaka did not congratulate Victoria Mboko during the runner-up speech at the Canadian Open. On Thursday (August 7), Mboko came from a set down to deny Osaka her first title of the season to win her career’s first WTA 1000 trophy.

The last title Osaka lifted was the 2021 Australian Open. This year, before the Montreal 1000, Osaka played the final of the ASB Classic, but an injury forced her to give a walkover to Clara Tauson. Osaka was very emotional after the defeat. Even when she was on the verge of losing, her not reaching for the ball during a rally drew criticism. Then her post-match speech was considered ungracious.

I don’t really wanna take up too much time. I’ll just say thank you to everyone. Thank you, my team, the ball kids, organizers, and volunteers. I hope you guys had a good night.

Here’s the video:

It’s absolutely shameful that Naomi Osaka knows that Victoria Mboko idolizes and look up to her, and she couldn’t even congratulate her or even mention her name.

Disgusting, sore loser behaviour. She earned a hater in me today.

pic.twitter.com/pbzwTk3aqT

— JB. (@Wana____) August 8, 2025

It was Osaka’s first WTA 1000 final since the 2022 Miami Open. The four-time Grand Slam champion has so far reached five WTA 1000 finals and won the 2018 Indian Wells and the 2019 China Open.

Osaka will next shift her focus to the Cincinnati Open, where she was the finalist in 2020 (withdrew from the final against Victoria Azarenka due to an injury). The 27-year-old will kick off her campaign against Linda Noskova in the second round. After Cincinnati, Osaka will be bidding to win her third US Open title. She was the winner at Flushing Meadows in 2018 and 2020.

Fans slam Naomi Osaka for not mentioning Victoria Mboko in her speech

When her runner-up speech sparked controversy, Naomi Osaka in the press conference said she just forgot to congratulate Mboko. Despite her explanation, fans continued to slam her.

Check out her post here:

She clocked out since second set and the crowd were doing too much

— 🌸Alexandra🌸 (@Miss_umeh) August 8, 2025

I used to like Osaka and she definitely has personal struggles and has done for a while, but you sign up for all this when you become a professional athlete. She had her break and rightly so but her mental wellbeing is more important and if she doesn't feel like she can cope she…

— 𝐏𝐚𝐯𝐥𝐨 𝐄𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐫 (@Pavlo__Escobar) August 8, 2025

Osaka has basically received a "free pass" throughout her career to say (or not) anything she likes while continuing to abuse her seemingly life-long "victim card" It's far past embarrassing yet most commentators are still relucent to call her out for often unsensitive remarks.

— Todster 1986 (@ToddinSRQ) August 8, 2025

If she can't handle the loss and lose graciously, she needs to get out of professional tennis.

— sunshineonacloudyday (@sunshineon2024) August 8, 2025

Average Naomi Osaka behavior tbh

It's why she's insufferable to watch

— Capt. Marchy (@TheMaster_Plan_) August 8, 2025

She'll take another "anxiety break" after this loss. Wahhhhhh

— Don't get upset, but… (@CasinoJoe7) August 8, 2025

She’s always been annoying

— Derek Brad (@DerekBradPhoto) August 8, 2025

Wow! I watched the match could not stomach the ceremony because I feared this!!! Horrible sportsmanship! I’m so glad she lost!!!! I’m always happy when she looses! Congrats to Victoria Mboko she played a great match deserves this title!!!!

— Andrea (@AnVista34) August 8, 2025

Not gracious in defeat; very uncool.

— Debbie Eaton ◼️◼️◼️ (@DebbieE46116279) August 8, 2025

Sore loser

— Nosclides (Parody Account) (@flamock) August 8, 2025

With this win, Mboko has become the third Canadian woman to win the tournament after Faye Urban and Bianca Andreescu. She is also the third wild card to win a WTA 1000 tournament after Maria Sharapova and Andreescu.

The 18-year-old is the second youngest woman to win a title after beating four Grand Slam champions. Before defeating Osaka, Mboko went past Sofia Kenin in the second round, Coco Gauff in the fourth round, and Elena Rybakina in the semifinals.

Victoria Mboko is convinced she will keep playing high-quality tennis

Prior to the Montreal title, she played her career’s first two WTA 1000 events at the Miami Open and the Italian Open, and suffered defeat in the second round of both tournaments. She also made her Grand Slam qualifying debut at the French Open, where her run ended in the third round.

Later at Wimbledon, she reached the second round. The next tournament is the Cincinnati Open, and Mboko has confirmed that she will not be playing it. But because of her Canadian Open run, she will be one of the contenders for the US Open.

I understand all the buzz around me because this is my first major title in the category, and I am very young, but I have always wanted to take everything in a simple way, both in tennis and in life in general. I try to surround myself with people who have known me for many years and keep a small circle. I like to stay calm and relaxed, and I believe I will continue like this, with the routines I am used to.

Victoria Mboko said at the press conference

Mboko will be seeded at the US Open given that she has become the newest World No.24. She had started the season as a 333rd-ranked player.

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