Djokovic’s Wife Criticizes Naomi Osaka in Heated Exchange
The recent Australian Open match between Naomi Osaka and Sorana Cirstea sparked significant controversy. Cirstea defeated her opponent with scores of 6-3, 4-6, 6-2. However, post-match interactions led to heated exchanges regarding sportsmanship.
Details of the Match and Controversy
After the match concluded, TV footage captured a tense moment at the net. Cirstea confronted Osaka, asking, “What was that for?” This was in response to her frustration over Osaka’s behavior during the match.
Cirstea expressed her disappointment with some of Osaka’s loud cheers, particularly during serves. She remarked, “You’re playing for so long, and you have no idea what fair play is.” Osaka later acknowledged the situation and apologized for any perceived disrespect.
Jelena Djokovic’s Reaction
Jelena Djokovic, wife of tennis star Novak Djokovic, publicly criticized Osaka’s actions on social media. She labeled Osaka’s behavior as “disrespectful” and questioned why it wasn’t treated as a hindrance. Djokovic pointed out that crowd noise during serves can disturb a player’s focus.
- Djokovic noted that clapping during a first serve mistake is also disrespectful.
- She expressed surprise at Osaka’s approach, suggesting it was intended to provoke Cirstea.
- Djokovic emphasized that maintaining proper etiquette is critical, particularly during key moments in a match.
Cirstea’s Response
As she prepares to retire at the end of the season, Cirstea downplayed the incident. She stated, “This is my last Australian Open… I think the moments are bigger to me than to talk about a five-second chat.” Cirstea prefers to move on, insisting there was no ongoing drama.
Naomi Osaka is set to advance to the next round, facing Australia’s Maddison Inglis, ranked 168th. This match will take place on Saturday evening, adding further anticipation to her tournament journey.
