(Video) Naomi Osaka Lets Out a Huge ‘Come On’ After Complaints From Sorana Cirstea During Spicy Australian Open Clash

Naomi Osaka defeated Sorana Cirstea 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 in the second round of the 2026 Australian Open.

(Video) Naomi Osaka Lets Out a Huge ‘Come On’ After Complaints From Sorana Cirstea During Spicy Australian Open Clash

Sorana Cirstea and Naomi Osaka at the 2026 Australian Open (via Tennis.com)

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Controversy sparked at the Australian Open when Sorana Cirstea trailed 4-2 (30-30) in the last set of her second-round match. After the Romanian netted her first serve, opponent Naomi Osaka let out a “come on,” which irked Cirstea. Cirstea asked the chair umpire, “Is this okay, to do ‘come on’ between points?” She had a brief argument with the chair umpire on the matter, and this issue left fans divided on the internet.

Some believe it is very common for tennis players to let out words of exclamation when their opponent makes a mistake, and that Cirstea only had an issue with the “come on” when she was down by a double break in the decider. While others claim it was unsportsmanlike on Osaka’s part.

After losing the opening two games in each of the first two sets, the four-time Grand Slam champion built a 2-0 lead in the decider before breaking Cirstea in the seventh game and serving out for the match in the following game to seal the win 6-3, 4-6, 6-2. Osaka played aggressively, finishing with 38 winners, 3 aces, and 41 unforced errors, while Cirstea hit 10 winners and 23 unforced errors.

Naomi Osaka apologizes for her behavior

After a frosty handshake at the net after the match, Naomi Osaka and Sorana Cirstea exchanged brief words, where the 35-year-old expressed her displeasure with Osaka’s behavior. Osaka took jabs at her opponent during the on-court interview:

Apparently, a lot of ‘come ons’ that she was angry about, but whatever. I mean, I tried to play well, I think I hit a lot of unforced errors, but I tried my best. She’s a great player, I think this was her last Australian Open, so… Okay, sorry she was mad about it.

Naomi Osaka (2)
Naomi Osaka (Image via X/TNT Sports)

2026 will be Cirstea’s last year on tour, after 20 years. Osaka later offered an apology during her press conference:

If I’m being honest, I’ve never been involved in something like this before. I don’t know if we’re supposed to leave it on the court and be like ‘Hey, how you doing?’ I’m a little confused, but I get that emotions were very high for her, and I also want to apologize.

This marked the pair’s second meeting, with their first meeting coming in the qualifying rounds of the 2015 Wimbledon Championships, where Cirstea earned a 2-6, 6-1, 6-4 win.

Naomi Osaka’s Australian Open campaign

Naomi Osaka won her second Grand Slam title at the 2019 Australian Open, defeating Petra Kvitova in the final. This victory propelled her to the World No. 1 ranking. Osaka won her fourth Grand Slam title at the 2021 Australian Open, overcoming Jennifer Brady in the final. Since this victory, she has not made it beyond the third round of a Grand Slam until the US Open last year, where she reached the semifinals.

Naomi Osaka Australian Open 2026 jellyfish dress
Naomi Osaka (image via Australian Open)

The Japanese player turned heads at the tournament this year when she wore a jellyfish-inspired outfit during her walk-on for her opening round match. After defeating Antonia Ruzic and Sorana Cirstea in three sets, Osaka will next face qualifier Maddison Inglis in the third round. 

Osaka could potentially meet Iga Swiatek in the fourth round, Elena Rybakina in the quarterfinals, Jessica Pegula or Amanda Anisimova in the semifinals, and Aryna Sabalenka or Coco Gauff in the final.

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