A stunning championship upset created an unexpected controversy this week. Naomi Osaka watched an 18-year-old Canadian capture her home tournament, but what happened during the trophy ceremony sparked criticism from a tennis legend. Victoria Mboko’s breakthrough victory at the Canadian Open deserved celebration, yet Osaka’s reaction left many wondering what went wrong in that moment.
Why Did Naomi Osaka Skip Congratulating Victoria Mboko After Her Historic Win?
The 2025 National Bank Open, held in Montreal, was Osaka’s sixth appearance at the tournament. The four-time Grand Slam champion has been searching for her first title since the 2021 Australian Open and had delivered an impressive run to the final, defeating several seeded players like Jeļena Ostapenko and Elina Svitolina, along the way.
On the other side of the draw, Mboko, a relative newcomer to the WTA Tour, stunned the field with victories over former Major winners and top-ranked opponents, including Coco Gauff and Elena Rybakina. The teenager then rallied from a set down to beat Osaka 2-6, 6-4, 6-1 in the championship match.
VICTORIA MBOKO WINS THE NATIONAL BANK OPEN #OBN25 | @OBNmontreal pic.twitter.com/SOa3RN2vLb
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) August 8, 2025
Mboko became only the third Canadian woman in the Open era to capture the national title, joining Faye Urban in 1969 and Bianca Andreescu in 2019. The victory marked a career-defining moment for the young player, who had looked up to Osaka throughout her tennis journey.
What Made Osaka’s Post-Match Speech So Controversial?
Following the loss, Osaka kept her runner-up speech strikingly short, thanking her team, event staff, and volunteers but omitting any mention of Mboko’s milestone win. “I don’t really wanna take up too much time. I’ll just say thank you to everyone. Thank you to my team, the ball kids, organizers, and volunteers. I hope you guys had a good night,” she told the Montreal crowd in remarks lasting less than 30 seconds.
Naomi Osaka after losing to Victoria Mboko in Montreal final
“I don’t really wanna take up too much time. I’ll just say thank you to everyone. Thank you to my team, the ball kids, organizers, & volunteers. I hope you guys had a good night.”
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 8, 2025
The brevity and tone of the speech contrasted sharply with Mboko’s more heartfelt words, in which she thanked Osaka directly for “an incredible match” and acknowledged her as an idol she had long admired. While Mboko embraced the magnitude of her achievement, Osaka’s comments seemed to minimize the significance of the moment.
Former professional player and Serena Williams’ ex-coach Rennae Stubbs expressed disappointment that Osaka did not congratulate her teenage opponent on what was a historic victory in Montreal. Stubbs took to X to share her thoughts about the post-match ceremony.
How Did Rennae Stubbs React to Osaka’s Response?
“But the way Naomi handled it in the end, was a little . When u think about all the things she has gone thru, the big matches she’s won, that was a capitulation & the speech! 2 not congratulate Vicky, who’s looked up to u her whole career & just won this massive was sad,” Stubbs wrote.
But the way Naomi handled it in the end, was a little . When u think about all the things she has gone thru, the big matches she’s won, that was a capitulation & the speech! 2 not congratulate Vicky, who’s looked up to u her whole career & just won this massive was sad.
— Rennae Stubbs (@rennaestubbs) August 8, 2025
Stubbs described the moment as “sad,” pointing out that Osaka had experienced her own share of big-match victories and challenging moments throughout her career. The veteran coach seemed particularly struck by the missed opportunity to acknowledge a young player who had openly expressed admiration for Osaka.
MORE: Victoria Mboko in Disbelief, Parents Can’t Contain Their Happiness After Teenager Wins Canadian Open
Both players now turn their attention to the WTA 1000 event in Cincinnati. Osaka and Mboko have received first-round byes and will open their campaigns in the second round against 20th seed Linda Nosková and 14th seed Diana Shnaider, respectively.
