Naomi Osaka’s bold response to social media trolls: "You couldn’t even touch one of my accomplishments with your fingernail"

Naomi Osaka issued a strong statement against trolls after her retirement from the China Open match against Coco Gauff. The former world No. 1 seems to have grown tired of the criticism and insults on social media, which increasingly affect WTA and ATP players.

The Japanese player secured consecutive wins against Lucia Bronzetti, Yulia Putintseva (21st seed), and Katie Volynets, reaching the Round of 16 where she faced her good friend, Coco Gauff. After taking the first set 6-3, the American made a comeback in the second set, leveling the match with a 6-4 score. However, Osaka had to retire due to a back injury and was visibly uncomfortable, with Gauff helping her carry her bag off the court.

The 4-time Grand Slam champion holds a 22-17 record this season and guaranteed her return to the top-60 this week, following a season where she started as world No. 661 after her maternity break in 2023. Osaka has shown good form this season and is excited about climbing back to the top ranks and competing for majors again.

In recent years, several players, including Iga Swiatek, Jessica Pegula, and most recently Caroline Garcia, have reported constant online abuse. This time, Osaka responded to a user who criticized her after her withdrawal from the China Open.

“I just saw someone call me a fluke. How is it possible to be a fluke with 4 Grand Slams, lighting the Olympic torch, beating multiple top 20 opponents and being close to top 50 the year after giving birth?” the 2-time US Open champion said. “Foh, you couldn’t even touch one of my accomplishments with your fingernail.” She then shared her post on Instagram with the caption: “did I lieeeee????”

A few hours earlier, Osaka had clarified on her Threads account the reason for her retirement in the match against Gauff. "Hi everyone, just wanted to say I’m extremely thankful and happy to have played in Beijing. That being said, I feel like I owe a little backstory about today—So I locked my back up during practice earlier and honestly wasn’t sure if I could even play, but I just wanted to try. Unfortunately, things just got progressively worse during the match. Totally worth it though lol," Naomi Osaka wrote.

Osaka's next challenge will be the WTA 1000 Wuhan Open, where she will have to compete in the qualifiers, as she did not qualify directly for the main draw. It will be a tough qualification with players like Emma Raducanu, Karolina Muchova, Diane Parry, and Bianca Andreescu among those fighting for a spot in the draw.