Osaka responds to backlash after skipping on-court congrats to Mboko: “I completely forgot”

Naomi Osaka has addressed the controversy that erupted following her loss in the final of the Omnium Banque Nationale in Montreal, where she failed to congratulate 18-year-old Victoria Mboko during her on-court speech.

The four-time Grand Slam champion appeared visibly disheartened after Mboko staged an impressive comeback to defeat her 2-6 6-4 6-1 in front of a home crowd. Osaka kept her remarks brief and avoided any mention of the Canadian teenager’s milestone victory.

Naomi Osaka has a lot be proud of this week. It was a good run to the final and unfortunately it ended with a loss. But plenty of positives.

It really wasn’t nice that she didn’t congratulate Victoria Mboko in her speech.#WTA🎾 #Montréal🏆 pic.twitter.com/VsvaH1266A

— Sean (@SeanTafirenyika) August 8, 2025

“Thanks, I guess. I don’t really want to take up too much time,” she said during the trophy ceremony. “I’ll just say thank you to everyone. Thank you to my team, the ball kids, organizers, and all the volunteers. I hope you guys had a good night.”

A clip of Osaka’s brief speech quickly spread across social media, drawing widespread criticism. Many fans and commentators labeled her reaction as ungracious, unprofessional, even classless and rude. Still, some defended the former world No.1, acknowledging that the moment was emotionally challenging and that her disappointment was understandable.

After skipping the press conference, Naomi Osaka has provided quotes to the media, in a Q&A style format. No answer from officials on who asked her the questions. But one thing that jumps out immediately though…

Osaka: “I completely forgot to congratulate [Mboko] on the court.” pic.twitter.com/vrRcdLZ69N

— Harry North (@hsnorth_) August 8, 2025

Although Osaka initially declined to hold a traditional press conference, she later issued comments to the media in a Q&A-style format, directly addressing the controversy surrounding her omission. Reflecting on the loss and her state of mind at the time, she said:

“I think it’s kind of funny. This morning I was very grateful. I don’t know why my emotions flipped so quickly, but I’m really happy to have played the final,” she said. “I think Victoria played really well. I completely forgot to congratulate her on the court. Yeah, I mean, she did really amazing, so…”

While Osaka did eventually offer some praise to Mboko, the damage had already been done in the eyes of many fans, who expected a more gracious moment from one of the sport’s biggest names.

NBO Champ Vicky Mboko on Osaka skipping post-match conference:“I still think Naomi is an incredible player and it doesn’t ever change what I think of her…

“I still look up to her…I mean to play against her was also a special moment for me.” pic.twitter.com/bruSGvih3m

— Bryann Aguilar (@BryannAguilar) August 8, 2025

As for Victoria Mboko, there are no hard feelings. The 18-year-old Canadian, who stunned four Grand Slam champions en route to her first WTA title and soared from No. 85 to a career-high No. 24 in the rankings, took a gracious stance despite the awkward trophy ceremony. Although she didn’t get a chance to speak with Osaka after the match, Mboko made it clear that the moment hadn’t changed her admiration for the former world No.1.  “I think she’s still a really nice girl,” Mboko said. “I still look up to her.”

The defeat marked another tough moment in Osaka’s attempt to climb back to the top of the women’s game. Although she captured a WTA 125 title in Saint-Malo earlier this year, she has yet to win a main tour title since the 2021 Australian Open. Her return to the WTA Tour has also been marred by injuries, including a retirement from the Auckland final in January while leading.

Mboko and Osaka have both withdrawn from the upcoming Cincinnati Open. Mboko cited a left wrist injury as the reason for pulling out, while Osaka withdrew due to a “change of schedule,” according to tournament organizers.