Tennis legend Martina Navratilova criticised Japanese star Naomi Osaka’s on-field behaviour throughout her second-round win over Sorana Cirstea on the Australian Open on Thursday. Osaka’s repeated ‘C’mon’ shouts between the primary and second serves of Cirstea had left the 35-year-old Romanian visibly upset, and Navratilova mentioned it was not acceptable conduct on the Sixteenth-seeded Osaka’s half.
Osaka and Cirstea performed out a 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 recreation that ended within the former’s favour at Margaret Court docket Enviornment earlier than the pair exchanged a fleeting handshake over the online.
Cirstea then threw daggers at Osaka with a glance earlier than turning her head away. This bought even Osaka intrigued and as they walked towards the umpire’s chair, Osaka requested, “What was that for?”
Sorana Cirstea wasn’t a fan of Naomi Osaka hyping herself up 😳 pic.twitter.com/XPSsNLNQPn
— TNT Sports activities (@tntsports) January 22, 2026
Cirstea responded on to the two-time Australian Open winner, upset with the Japanese ace’s efforts to pump herself up at levels through the match.
“Apparently lots of ‘C’mons’ that she was indignant about however no matter. I feel this was her final Australian Open so, OK, sorry she was mad about it,” Osaka mentioned at her post-match interview when requested concerning the frosty alternate on the internet.
Navratilova mentioned that although she might relate to Osaka’s rapid response to Cirstea’s chilly handshake submit the match, it didn’t redeem her gestures through the match.
‘Maintain it inside’
“I can get what she mentioned after the match as a result of it was simply this warmth of the second. She was stunned by Cirstea’s response on the handshake,” Navratilova mentioned on Tennis Channel.
“You possibly can’t yell out in between serves.”
Full evaluation of the Osaka-Cirstea argument ⤵️#AO26 pic.twitter.com/Vlaw9t4xze
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) January 22, 2026
“You can’t be speaking out loud between first and second serves of your opponent. Cirstea was able to hit the second serve when Osaka says, ‘Come on!’ That’s not proper. I don’t assume she did it on function. She didn’t notice it. You possibly can say ‘Come on!’ all you need, however maintain it inside,” the 18-time Grand Slams singles winner remarked.
Osaka points apology
Chatting with reporters afterward, Osaka issued an apology for rapid on-court response and mentioned that she wished to increase an apology for her phrases however not for her repeated gesture through the match.
It is not very clear who says “C’mon” between serves, but when it is Osaka then Sorana is true, that is very poor sportsmanship from Osaka. pic.twitter.com/l5KIJc0GFZ
— Lorena Popa 🕵️♀️🎾 (@popalorena) January 22, 2026
“I get that feelings have been very excessive for her and I additionally wish to apologize. I feel the primary couple issues I mentioned on the court docket have been disrespectful and I don’t like disrespecting folks. That’s not what I do,” Osaka mentioned.
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“If she needs to speak about it, then yeah, however once I’m pumping myself up, in my head I’m not like, ‘Okay and now I’m going to distract the opposite particular person.’ It’s purely for me,” she added.
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