Naomi Osaka has apologized for “disrespecting” Sorana Cirstea in her post-match on-court interview at the Australian Open. After defeating Cirstea 6-3 4-6 6-2 in the second round, Osaka made some comments that the Romanian player found offensive.
In her on-court interview, Osaka said, “Apparently a lot of ‘come on’s’ that she was angry about.” When asked if Cirstea was complaining because she could hear Osaka trying to pump herself up between the Romanian’s first and second serves, Osaka replied, “I think so, but like, she could have asked me. I’m sorry.”
Osaka later apologized for her comments in a news conference, saying, “I’m a little confused. I guess that emotions were very high for her. I also want to apologize. I think the first couple of things that I said on the court were disrespectful. I don’t like disrespecting people. That’s not what I do.”
However, Cirstea downplayed the incident, saying there was “no drama” between the two players. “It was just a five-second exchange between two players that have been on a tour for a long time. It stays between us,” the 35-year-old Romanian said.
Osaka arrived on court for the match in a toned-down version of her jellyfish-inspired outfit that had stunned spectators earlier in the tournament. The former world number one is hoping to reach the fourth round of the Australian Open for the first time since winning the tournament in 2021.