"That was brutal to watch" - Rennae Stubbs frustrated by Naomi Osaka snubbing Victoria Mboko in speech at Canadian Open
WTA
Former World No.1 continues to receive backlash for not acknowledging Victoria Mboko in her trophy presentation speech at the 2025 Canadian Open, after the young Canadian defeated the Japanese superstar to win the biggest title of her career.
The four-time Grand Slam champion put on a spectacular performance during the WTA 1000 event, dropping just one set en route to the final. However, Osaka was unable to overcome Mboko, who rallied from a set down to secure her maiden title on the WTA Tour.
Visibly upset as the match progressed, Osaka made matters worse during the trophy presentation. The 27-year old gave a very brief speech, thanking the fans and sponsors but failing to mention or even acknowledge Mboko.
This rubbed a lot of fans and people in the tennis community the wrong way, with several accusing the two-time US Open champion of being a sore loser. Osaka would later release a statement on social media congratulating Mboko, explaining she got caught up in the moment.
The incident was difficult to watch, says Stubbs
Nonetheless, there are several who have not gotten over the issue. Former doubles specialist and Grand Slam champion Rennae Stubbs gave her opinion on the issue, stating she was upset by Osaka's actions after the match.
"It started off badly when she said ‘thanks I guess to the crowd’,” said Stubbs on an episode of the Rennae Stubbs Podcast. “I was like no honey. It’s one thing, and I was a terrible loser and it’s really hard to do a speech after losing, but the fact that (Karen) Khachanov lost 7-6 in the third in an epic match (in the men's final) got up there and made the most amazing runners-up speech and was so gracious.
“It was like dude, come on! I think she has learned her lesson from it. I hope. Because that was one of the worst moments I have seen in a long time.
"Poor Mboko, you have got to give her credit. She goes I looked up to you so much, congrats on a great week, but I felt so badly for her too. She was an 18-year-old kid, who has just won the biggest match of her career. Beaten her idol. And the idol didn’t even give you credit that was brutal to watch."
“It was like dude, come on! I think she has learned her lesson from it. I hope. Because that was one of the worst moments I have seen in a long time.
"Poor Mboko, you have got to give her credit. She goes I looked up to you so much, congrats on a great week, but I felt so badly for her too. She was an 18-year-old kid, who has just won the biggest match of her career. Beaten her idol. And the idol didn’t even give you credit that was brutal to watch."
Osaka's next tournament will be at the US Open, where she is a two-time champion.
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