*This content was translated by AI.
Naomi Osaka (29, No. 17), a Japanese national who also has a career in the world's No. 1 tennis women's singles, advanced to the third round with her skills, but she was booed for making a slip of the tongue right after the second round match. When Romanian Sorana Chirstea (36, ranked 41st) protested with a no-look handshake, Osaka also made unnecessary remarks immediately after the altercation.
Osaka beat Chirstea 2-1 (6-3, 4-6, 6-2) in the second round of the women's singles at the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park in Australia on the 22nd (Korea time). As you can see from the score, it was a rather tight game. The weight of the match leaned sharply toward Osaka in the third set.
However, Osaka's victory joy did not last long. This is because the psychological game that continued throughout the game turned into a "laughing slip of the tongue" immediately after the game.
The war of nerves began with Osaka's self-congratulatory movement. On this day, Osaka gained a point and spat out the words "Come on!" to gain momentum. Chirstea accepted this as an unmannered act towards him. During the game, Chirstea appeared angry and complained to the referee, but he passed by without any problems because it was a situation that unfolded in a dead ball situation.
Shortly after the game, Chirstea had a "no-look handshake" with Osaka. It was just a perfunctory handshake without making eye contact. Chirstea openly complained and Osaka responded with absurdity. Osaka even questioned Chirstea, and Chirstea was also caught on the broadcast camera conveying her position.
The situation seemed to be over, but Osaka's on-site interview immediately after the game raised the problem. Osaka said, "I think this is my opponent's last Australian Open, and I'm really sorry that I was angry with my 'come on'." The audience booed Chirstea's remarks blaming him for his sensitivity. Osaka also showed signs of bewilderment. Chirstea announced his retirement after the 2026 season, so this was the last Australian Open game as an active player.
Osaka apologized in an official press conference as the controversy grew out of control. She said: "My comments in the on-court interview were obviously disrespectful. I said something I shouldn't have said in a situation where I was getting emotional. I never want to disrespect anyone," he bowed.
"The cry of Come On was purely to encourage me, and the referee didn't hold back," he stressed, adding that there was no meaning of ridicule.
"We've only had a short conversation, but we're trying not to put much meaning on it," Chirstea said in an official press conference. "I don't want the last Australian Open game of my professional career to be remembered as a war of nerves," he said, avoiding a big fight.
Now Osaka will play Madison Inglis (28) from Australia in the third round on the 24th. Attention is focusing on whether Osaka will be able to overcome the aftermath of this incident and show her skills in the third round.
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*This content was translated by AI.
